The Thoughts of Philosophers of Science and Their Application in the World of Education

Abstract

This systematic literature review examines how ancient Greek philosophers' ontological, epistemological, and axiological frameworks apply to contemporary education. A comprehensive search of Scopus-indexed and Web of Science-indexed journals (2020-2025) using purposive sampling identified 45 high-quality studies (93.3% met quality standards). Qualitative content analysis combined with hermeneutic interpretation analyzed philosophical texts and educational research across three philosophical dimensions: what students must understand (ontology), how knowledge is acquired (epistemology), and why education matters (axiology). Results demonstrate that Socratic epistemology produces significant positive effects on critical thinking development (r = 0.457, p > 0.01), inquiry-based learning yields substantial improvements in analytical reasoning (SMD = 1.27, 95% CI [0.78, 1.76]), and schools integrating comprehensive philosophical frameworks show 15 to 20 percent improvement in student engagement and academic performance. The study identifies remarkable alignment between ancient philosophical principles and contemporary 21st-century competency frameworks. In conclusion, explicit integration of ontological, epistemological, and axiological dimensions creates more coherent and purposeful learning environments, though limited empirical research documenting long-term causal effects and implementation across diverse cultural contexts suggests areas for future investigation.