Alternative philosophical approaches towards education

The concept of education, as ancient as the history of civilization, is among the most important social foundations of societies. Education enables self realization by giving the individuals the opportunity to develop their interests and skills. The concept of education depends on the philosophical state of mind contained in its very core structure. Within this state of mind, questions we ask about the approaches on the perception of human beings, also present the kind of education required. Upon handling the concept of education from a philosophical approach, another issue presents itself, which is the inadequacy of traditional educational approaches in raising individuals who can catch up with changes and developments in contemporary world. This inadequacy both in intellectual structure and teaching, syllabus, method applications requires a paradigm shift in education and this shift can enable the emergence of various different educational philosophies. Thanks to these different philosophies alternative philosophical approaches could be developed. Alternative philosophies in education are also seen as the expression of alternative application models in teaching. Rather than the concept of teaching, these approaches attach importance to the concept of learning, qualities of individuals who are supposed to learn, democratic processes in planning and applying the learning process.This study is focused on different philosophical approaches described as ?alternative educational paradigms? that are not included in traditional education and they are clarified through their relation to scholars. All approaches that develop alternatives are analysed regarding their answers to the perception of education. Although these approaches offer different descriptions on childhood, learning, school and teacher, they all have similar demands in freeing the human beings by putting them in the centre of interest. Demand of freedom is sometimes focused on human beings while some other times it is visualised on the basis of society, which formed a paradox. Upon analysing this paradox we hint at the social structure considering the issues we think and not think about, we learn and not learn, we question and not.In this study, Naturalism, Pragmatism and educational approach of Existential Philosophy are analysed as the representatives of the Enlightenment as well as Progressivism, Re-constructionism, Polytechnic Education, Holistic Education, Child Centred Education, Country Education Project, Vocational Education, Collective Education, Liberal Education which represent Contemporary Educational Approaches. Among those approaches, Progressive Educational Approach has been analysed through Project Based Learning Method developed by William Kilpatrick and Child Centred Education has been analysed through John Dewey?s Laboratory School and Maria Montessori?s School.Key words: Educational Philosophy, New Education, Alternative Education, Freedom, Education.