An Analysis Of Plato's Pedagogy

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Plato’s Pedagogy Explained:
An analysis of Plato’s Pedagogy as displayed in the Republic
Pedagogy is defined as a style of teaching, and in Plato’s pedagogy, there is much to be examined. Cooper states the following of Plato’s pedagogy, “Though Plato never wrote a dialogue that explicitly asks, ‘What is education?’ few argue that he is uninterested in the subject; after all, Plato, like Socrates, was a teacher. In his magnum opus, the Republic, Plato deals with education repeatedly. The education of the guardian class and the allegory of the cave present two landmark pedagogical passages.” In the Republic, Socrates and Plato, for the sake of this essay interchangeable, both teach on education in a way that enlightens the listeners and causes …show more content…

One of Socrates’ favorite students was Plato. Cross agrees, saying, “Plato (437-347) was Socrates’ prized student.” The thing Plato did was magnificent, he was always questioning Socrates in his teaching because he knew that’s what was expected of him. If we fast forward to modern day teachers, or professors, they are always assumed to be correct and have the highest level of knowledge and wisdom (all the while teaching about Socrates.) This is completely obscene because their teaching method is to not have students question their ideas, but that their ideas are solid, correct, and unwavering. Socrates would highly disagree with this idea. The amazing philosopher so many people refer to, Plato and Socrates both are advocates of students questioning what they learn so they do not become daft robots. Yet in modern day society, many are taught to accept what their professors and teachers say as the cold hard truth that shan’t be …show more content…

Lorenz says the following when speaking of Plato’s Republic, “Since the mid-nineteenth century, the Republic has been Plato’s most famous and widely read dialogue. As in most other Platonic dialogues the main character is Socrates.” How is it that one of the most read philosophical texts is not even regarded in the modern era? This idea, however, is similar to the Bible, which is reportedly a best seller and yet is not highly regarded as all to be the truth it claims to be: the word of God. Is it simply because people are ignorant? Or is it because people are accepting ideas thrown at them from the very professors teaching Plato? These questions have yet to be answered, and, with further study (as suggested by Socrates) could only produce more questions. So, consider the ideas of questioning, investigation, and humility all important aspects of Plato’s pedagogy as identified in the

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