CAN METAPHYSICS BE OUTMODED? A REVIEW OF METAPHYSICS AS A FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL THOUGHT

Abstract

Philosophy and education are recognised in this paper as interrelated disciplines that share the concepts of knowledge and values in relation to man and development. Metaphysics as a speculative branch of philosophy was examined to be a foundation for education. The paper appreciates the scientific approach to investigation in education but calls attention to the need for metaphysics as a first approach to the understanding of science. Science was acclaimed to be a branch of philosophy in early centuries before it emancipated with the empirical approach to investigation. This has assumed a popular approach to education research. The paper submits on the need for the study of metaphysics as a first step to investigating issues and concepts in education, irrespective of the approach to education research.