Philosophy is defined as the love of wisdom.
It involves a thoughtful reflection upon a subject with the objective of seeking the truth of the matter, culminating in an appreciation for that subject and its complexities. Therefore, an educational philosophy would be a search for the true nature of education and an appreciation for that truth. A philosophy of education is essential for a teacher because the teacher must be conscious of the relevant issues, as they are the agent in the education process. The student, while an active participant, is more of a patient because they are not fully accountable for their actions as the teacher is. It is the teacher s job to distinguish right from wrong, adjust teaching to how students learn, determine what is important to know, etc.