What is the Difference Between Essentialism and Perennialism

The main difference between essentialism and perennialism is that essentialist curriculum tends to be fact-based while perennialist curriculum tends to be principal-based.

Essentialism and perennialism are two major educational philosophies. Essentialism is an educational philosophy that strives to ensure that students acquire a common core of knowledge in a systematic, disciplined way. In contrast, perennialism is an educational philosophy that states one should teach the things that are of everlasting importance to all individuals everywhere.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Essentialism 
     – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Perennialism
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Difference Between Essentialism and Perennialism
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Education, Essentialism, Perennialism

What is Essentialism

Essentialism is an educational philosophy that strives to ensure that students acquire thorough understandings of the traditional basic subjects. Therefore, the main goal of this educational philosophy is to instil students with the basics of academic knowledge, endorsing a back to basics approach. Essentialists believe in passing the accumulated wisdom of our civilization (particularly, western civilization) to students by teaching them traditional academic disciplines, such as reading, writing, literature, history, foreign languages, mathematics, science, art and music.

Educational essentialism is a teacher-centred philosophy as it considers that it’s the responsibility of the school and teachers to pass universal knowledge to students. Moreover, teaching methods in essentialism typically involves lecturing, memorization, repetition, practice, and assessment. The student is considered to be a learner to shaped and developed.  In addition, essentialism is not an imitation of life, but a preparation for life.  All in all, essentialism attempts to improve student’s intellect by training the mind and promoting reasoning. It also strives to ensure a common culture.

What is Perennialism

Perennialism is an educational philosophy that states one should teach the things that are of “everlasting” importance to all people everywhere. Perennialists also believe that one should teach principles, not facts. This is a philosophy that teaches scientific reasoning instead of facts and gives a human side to science.

According to perennialism, the focus of education is ideas that have lasted over hundreds of years; perennialists believe that these ideas are as meaningful and relevant as the day they were originally created. Therefore, students can learn from reading and analyzing the works written by history’s greatest philosophers and thinkers. However, perennialists also stress that students should not be taught information that has been found to be incorrect or outdated. They also disapprove of teachers making students absorb massive amounts of disconnected information.

Perennialist education attempts to teach students to think rationally and develop their minds so that they can think critically. Its main goal is the personal development of students – it aims to help individuals to think deeply, flexibly, analytically, and imaginatively.

Difference Between Essentialism and Perennialism

Definition

Essentialism is an educational philosophy that strives to ensure that students acquire a common core of knowledge in a systematic, disciplined way. In contrast, perennialism is an educational philosophy that states one should teach the things that are of everlasting importance to all individuals everywhere.

Curriculum

An essentialist curriculum includes traditional disciplines such as reading, writing, literature, history, foreign languages, mathematics, science, art and music. A perennialist curriculum, on the other hand, emphasize on great works of literature and art, the laws or principles of science.

Knowledge 

Essentialists accept that there can be changes in knowledge. According to perennialism, certain principles and ideas are everlasting.

Focus

While essentialism focuses on essential skills first, focuses first on personal development.

Nature

Moreover, the essentialist curriculum tends to be more fact-based and vocational while the perennialist curriculum tends to be principal-based.

Conclusion

Essentialism is an educational philosophy that strives to ensure that students acquire a common core of knowledge in a systematic, disciplined way. In contrast, perennialism is an educational philosophy that states one should teach the things that are of everlasting importance to all individuals everywhere. The main difference between essentialism and perennialism is that essentialist curriculum tends to be fact-based while perennialist curriculum tends to be principal-based.

Reference:

1. “Educational Perennialism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 June 2020, Available here.
2. Cohen, LeoNora M. “Educational Philosophies.” PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES IN EDUCATION, Oregon State University, Available here.

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