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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue VI, June 2026
According to James S. J. Royers (1969): “Determinism provides us with an understanding of man as deeply and
intimately affected by his environment and shaped by his destiny in important ways. Such a view fits more
closely with our own experience and is immensely significant in helping us find solutions to some of our great
social problems.” This perspective suggests that human actions, behaviour, life outcomes, and creativity are
largely influenced by environmental factors such as family background, culture, education, and social
relationships. It argues that individuals cannot develop in isolation; rather, their surroundings significantly
influence their character, attitudes, and decisions. This view aligns with human experience because individuals
often become products of the conditions under which they are raised and socialized.
The theory also implies that many social problems such as poverty, crime, and poor educational outcomes can
be better understood by examining environmental and causal factors. Consequently, educational efforts can play
a significant role in addressing societal challenges and creating opportunities for human development and
innovation. Towoju (2016) states that: “Education cannot be autonomous and stand apart from nature. Our
educational programmes, beliefs, feelings, judgments, actions, and ideas are determined by nature, although
individuals may have options in selecting what knowledge to acquire and impart under specific conditions
governed by natural laws.” This implies that educational practices, human nature, and instructional materials are
connected with realities existing in the world. Human reasoning and educational experiences are influenced by
natural conditions and environmental realities, which also contribute to creativity and innovation in education.
Essential Tenets of Determinism in Relation to Creative Education
From the discussion above, the major principles of Determinism in relation to creative education include:
Cause-and-Effect Principle: Human actions and learning outcomes are influenced by preceding or
predetermined causes; therefore, creativity develops from experiences and environmental conditions
surrounding learners.
Environmental Influence: Learners’ creativity is shaped by environmental factors such as family
background, schools, culture, and social interactions.
Experience and Learning: Previous experiences significantly influence learners’ thought patterns and
creative development.
Influence of Heredity: Individual talents and abilities may be influenced by hereditary characteristics and
biological factors that contribute to creative potential.
Educational Influence: Educational experiences and conditions serve as important factors affecting
creativity, innovation, imagination, and intellectual development.
Predictability of Behaviour: Behaviour may follow predictable patterns. Under similar conditions and
experiences, learners may display similar behavioural tendencies and creative responses.
Thus, Determinism provides a framework for understanding the relationship between environmental conditions,
human behaviour, and creativity within educational settings.
Concept of Pragmatism.
The philosophical theory of Pragmatism states that truth is not fixed but can be tested through practical
experience and application. It encourages individuals to examine traditional ways of thinking, acting, and solving
problems in order to reconstruct their approaches to life in accordance with present realities and changing
conditions. According to Aladejana (2019), Pragmatism challenges individuals to seek out processes and
methods that work best in achieving desirable goals and outcomes. Major advocates of Pragmatism include John
Dewey, William James, and Charles Sanders Peirce, among others. Pragmatism is also known as
Experimentalism because it regards experimentation as the criterion of truth and maintains that truth is not
absolute but continuously develops through innovation and experience. Pragmatism is equally referred to as
Consequentialism because human actions are evaluated based on their outcomes and consequences. Therefore,
one of the fundamental principles of Pragmatism is change (Ayeni, 2018).
In this context, Pragmatism views creative education as a continuous process of growth and reconstruction of
experience. This view aligns with Hassan (2018), who states that pragmatists define man as an experiencing