Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the educational philosopher who viewed schools as microcosms of society and education as a process of social and philosophical growth.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- John Dewey (1859-1952): He was a leading American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer. A key tenet of his philosophy, known as pragmatism or progressivism, was that education is not merely preparation for life, but is life itself. He argued that schools should be organized as "miniature communities" or social institutions where students learn through experience and interaction. For Dewey, education was inherently a philosophical process of inquiry, growth, and democratic living.
- Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis.
- Jean Piaget was a developmental psychologist known for his theory of cognitive development.
- Howard Gardner is known for his theory of multiple intelligences.
While Piaget and Gardner are influential in education, Dewey is the one who most famously conceptualized the school as a social institution.
Step 3: Final Answer:
John Dewey explained school as a social institution and education as a philosophical process.