Biological knowledge in the National Curriculum of High School: an historical and philosophical analysis from the statutes of biology

Authors

  • Antônio Júnior Fernandes Nascimento Universidade Federal de Lavras. Caixa Postal 3037 - CEP 37200-000 - Lavras MG
  • Daniele Cristina de Souza Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Bauru. Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo C. Coube 14-01 CEP: 17033-360 Bauru - SP
  • Marcelo Carbone Carneiro Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Bauru. Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo C. Coube 14-01 CEP: 17033-360 Bauru - SP

Keywords:

history and philosophy of biology, curriculum, teaching biology.

Abstract

We analyzed the National Curriculum for Secondary Schools with respect to the ontological, epistemological, historical, social and conceptual biology. This study aims to bring information and thinking about the inclusion of history and philosophy of biology for secondary education and for teacher training. We performed an analysis of PCNEM, PCNEM+ and Curriculum Guidelines as a whole from established categories. The results indicate a predominance of the ontological view of mechanistic biology. Epistemologically, although acknowledged, the question of scientific method is rarely discussed. The historical approach and social scientific activity and scientific knowledge are recognized by the documents, but an instrumental view prevails. The conceptual aspects are comprehensive and take into account the theories of structural biology. A philosophical discussion on the biology is missing in the parameters, indicating the need for the inclusion of issues related to ideas of determinism, chance and teleology.

Published

2016-07-13

How to Cite

Nascimento, A. J. F., de Souza, D. C., & Carneiro, M. C. (2016). Biological knowledge in the National Curriculum of High School: an historical and philosophical analysis from the statutes of biology. Investigations in Science Education, 16(2), 223–243. Retrieved from https://ienci.if.ufrgs.br/index.php/ienci/article/view/228