Teacher Jakob's approach encourages students to examine values. Which philosophy does this reflect?

The philosophy of education that emphasizes the examination of values is existentialism. This approach is centered on the belief that individuals create their own meaning and must confront the inherent uncertainties of life, focusing significantly on personal experience, choice, and self-discovery. In promoting an environment where students reflect on their values, Teacher Jakob aligns with existentialist principles, which advocate for student agency and the exploration of personal beliefs and choices as a fundamental part of the learning process.

This engagement with values encourages students to think critically about their own identity, responsibilities, and the ethical implications of their decisions—key aspects of existentialist thought. In contrast, other philosophies such as essentialism and perennialism focus more on established knowledge and core curricula, rather than individual exploration of values, while behaviorism emphasizes observable behaviors and external reinforcement, neglecting the internal value systems of students. Thus, the focus on examining values distinctly highlights the existentialist perspective in education.