Philosophy in education focuses on questions about knowledge, ethics, and why education is important in society. It encourages reflection on the values educational systems should follow, making it an important step in addressing global issues. With philosophy we ask difficult questions and dive into the heart of ethical dilemmas.

Philosophy helps ask more profound questions and evaluate the values and purpose behind education and why inequalities and access to resources are so widely accepted. Biesta (2020) questions what the education system is teaching us and argues that simply cramming as much information as possible in one day does not create meaningful thinkers. The author goes on to explain that developing responsible and independent thinkers who can engage meaningfully with the world should be a vital teaching. This theory challenges us to reconsider what a just educational system should look like and the moral responsibility society has to make sure everyone has fair access to equal opportunities. From a philosophical standpoint, technology is not just a tool to be used for education; it is a gateway to a larger society, and our use of it should still follow ethical guidelines. Biesta’s work encourages us to ask: Who gets to benefit from these advancements, and who is left behind? It is clear that the unequal distribution of technology in schools raises questions of justice and fairness. Recognizing these questions can help push policymakers and educators to work towards change and make this access a fundamental right, not a privilege.

Additionally, Biesta (2020) warns us against reducing education to simply market-driven outcomes, and the rise of technology has increased the risk of this happening as educators are becoming more and more concerned with the numbers on the screen and not the progress of students. For lower-class students, this can lead to quick-fix solutions that only focus on providing devices to keep up and not providing educators with appropriate training and support.

Short Comings and How We Overcome Them

Philosophy is an excellent discipline for looking at ethical dilemmas and morals, but it fails to offer a concrete solution or strategy. Discussions about justice and equality in the world are important. They should be continued, but without data and practical insights, they run the risk of remaining an abstract idea and never coming to fruition. Recognizing and discussing the moral direction of digital equity is only the first step in creating viable change, and other disciplines are necessary for further examination and implementation.

Combining philosophy’s ethical depth with other disciplines can create a more practical solution. Sociology can provide the societal factors that contribute, and literature provides the individual impacts of this challenge. When we combine multiple approaches, we develop a stronger case against inequality and highlight societies’ moral obligation to ensure equal education is accessible to all.