A Philosophical Overview of Thought Education and Moral Education Based on the Work "Muallimlere" by Gad Franko of Milas

Abstract

The work titled Muallimlere by Gad Franko of Milas, written in 1326 (1910) as part of İrfan ve Terbiye Bahisleri Külliyatı, has an inclusive content that sheds light on the approach to education during the Second Constitutional years. In this period, important steps have been taken in education in general and specifically in moral and thought education. In this period, the integrity of formal education was reinforced by expanding the number of primary schools as well as schools offering instruction at the levels of rüştiye, idâdi, and âli. In the educational system, pedagogical education was emphasized with new methods and procedures through new tools and equipment, and the nature of education was made a subject of discussion. Gad Franko, a recognised expert in the field of law, also expressed his opinions on education and provided knowledge for teachers and parents. The present study aims to contribute to the accumulation of pedagogy and educational philosophy extending to thought and moral education based on the work Muallimlere by Gad Franko. Qualitative document analysis was employed in the study. Since the work's 261-page content and detailed character are too dense to be analyzed in a single article, purposive sampling was used to focus on the discussions on "thought and moral education." The data obtained in the study were evaluated using the content analysis method. As a result of the study, it was concluded that Franko, acting in line with a naturalistic approach to education, emphasized the importance of moral and intellectual education in the character formation of the individual who turns to nature and develops their identity and personality without losing their true self. In the context of the scientific principles of pedagogy, Franko also asked Ottoman children not to ignore their ancestors' mental and spiritual heritage in discovering their identity.