ONTOLOGICAL AND EPISTEMOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

Educational philosophy is a comprehensive field of inquiry that aims to understand and explain the fundamental nature of education; in this respect, it encompasses a wide range of concepts, theories, and paradigms. Ontology and epistemology, which ensure the integrity of philosophy, also play a critical role in the holistic consideration of the nature and essence of education within the context of educational philosophy. The ontology of education stands out as a domain that examines the individual’s developmental process, the structural characteristics of the era and society in which they live, as well as the qualities of the educator. The epistemology of education, on the other hand, focuses on the processes of acquiring knowledge, the act of learning, and the theoretical approaches that explain these processes.Emerging from the intersection of education and philosophy, educational philosophy utilizes the ontology and epistemology of education in determining the aims and objectives of educational processes, in creating learning environments suitable for the needs of the individual and society, and in evaluating the impact of different educational approaches on learning processes. The main purpose of this study is to define educational philosophy and to elucidate the concepts, theories, and paradigms that arise within the framework of educational philosophy from the perspectives of the ontology and epistemology of education, thereby revealing the relationship between the human being, the educator, and the learner.