Plato's Theory Of Education

1294 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: analyzing plato's allegory of the cave

Humanity is in a constant process to better themselves, as a result of their self-transcending nature. The purpose of this process is to achieve an immortal soul. However, an individual cannot obtain this without first being educated in the system developed by Plato and after surpassing his methods, the individual will remain in a constant state of pursuing the classical virtues.

To fully analyze Plato's Theory of Education, an understanding of his Allegory of the Cave is necessary. This parable begins with several prisoners chained by their legs and necks to restrict their movement. They cannot converse with one another; they can only see the dark wall of the back of the cave in front of them. Behind them is a fire and with its light, several men show the prisoners shadows of puppets. These images become reality for the prisoners; the truth to them is nothing but the shadows cast by these elusive objects (VII). This parable is symbolic of every individual's mindset before beginning an education in philosophy. Without this education, the truth, unbeknownst to the individual, will remain in the shadows. As a result, the individual will never achieve an immortal soul without having absolute truth revealed to him and thus removing himself from the darkness of the cave. However, it is impossible for the individual to accomplish this alone. A teacher of dialectics is necessary in order to successfully and completely be immersed in Plato's Theory of Education.

Now, the best manner by which to accomplish this successfully is to engage in Plato's Metaphor of the Divided Line, which is described with great detail in book VII of The Republic, as well as through the following diagram:

Objects: Modes of Thought:

The Good (F...

... middle of paper ...

...these goods were enlarged, the individual's soul would thus achieve immortality. Meaning, in the afterlife, the individual's soul would join the One, the mind of God, in the world of Forms. In this divine world, the individual's soul would be placed in one of the many mansions surrounding the mind of God (VII).

However, this ultimate goal of an immortal soul is only possible by following the previously mentioned system. Without engaging in Plato's Theory of Education, the individual cannot obtain neither the highest form of philosophical thought, nor eternal life with God in one of the mansions surrounding His mind. Through Plato's system, the individual will be able to achieve the highest possible form of good; a well-ordered, virtuous, and immortal soul.

Works Cited

Plato, G. R. F. Ferrari, and Tom Griffith. The Republic. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2000. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Justice in Plato's The Republic

    961 Words  | 2 Pages

    Marra, James L., Zelnick, Stephen C., and Mattson, Mark T.   IH 51 Source Book: Plato,  The Republic, pp. 77-106. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa, 1998.

    Read More

  • Depth Analysis Of Socrates Argument In Plato's Phaedo

    2176 Words  | 5 Pages

    In this paper I will give an in depth analysis of Socrates argument in Plato’s Republic and in Plato’s Phaedo. First I will begin with the analysis of the Republic, a discussion between Socrates and Glaucon on morality of the human being. The argument first defines morality within a good community and proceeds with the application of this definition in the human person. Then I shall analysis Phaedo, Socrates argument of immortality of the soul. Using his argument of death, reincarnation, change and invisibility, I shall explain Socrates rejoice of death. In conclusion, I will compare Socrates notion of immortality, apply it to his definition of morality and prove a contradiction between the two.

    Read More

  • Agamemnon as a Tyrant as Described by Plato's "The Republic"

    1274 Words  | 3 Pages

    Plato. The Republic. Trans. Sterling, Richard and Scott, William. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1985.

    Read More

  • Comparing Machiavelli's The Prince and Plato's The Republic

    1784 Words  | 4 Pages

    1)      Marra, James L., Zelnick, Stephen C., and Mattson, Mark T.   IH 51 Source Book: Plato,  The Republic, pp. 77-106

    Read More

  • Influnce of Human Nature and Politics in a City

    1631 Words  | 4 Pages

    Plato. (1992). Plato Republic. (G. Grube, & C. Reeve, Eds.) Indiana: Hackett Publishing Company Inc.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Socrates: The Imorality Of The Soul

    1321 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Plato’s dialogue, the Phaedo, Socrates gives an account of the immortality of the soul. Socrates does this through a series of arguments. He argues that the soul will continue to exist, and that it will go on to a better place. The argument begins on the day of his execution with the question of whether it is good or bad to die. In other words, he is arguing that the soul is immortal and indestructible. This argument is contrary to Cebes and Simmias who argue that even the soul is long lasting, it is not immortal and it is destroyed when the body dies. This paper focuses on Socrates 's first argument for immortality of the human soul, his counter arguments to Cebes and Simmias ' arguments, and an explanation as to why Socrates first argument for the immorality of the soul does not succeed in establishing that the soul is immortal.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Plato's Republic

    1502 Words  | 4 Pages

    Plato is serious in his suggestions about the human personality. No one doubts that we are likely to be happy if we didn’t second guess ourselves or go against our better judgement at times and make bad decisions. Plato also holds that our life is finest and best when we realize how far we can take our minds and take advantage of this. Unfortunately, this only happens in a person that has their life well together and is very secure with themselves.

    Read More

  • Platos Argument For A Just Life

    1677 Words  | 4 Pages

    total good of the man. Plato holds that if the desire were truly for a good

    Read More

  • Socrates Arguments On Immortality

    1137 Words  | 3 Pages

    Socrates was a philosopher who was true to his word and his death was ultimately felt by his closest friends and followers. In Phaedo, Socrates is met with his closest friends during his final hours as they await his death. At this point Socrates is prepared for death and seems to welcome it. Although death may seem like a scary inevitable fate that we all must face at one point; Socrates saw death as a privilege mainly because he believed that the soul was immortal. As a result, Socrates provides arguments as to why he believed the soul was immortal and even though all his arguments lacked unconvincing evidence, he does bring up good points. In this paper I will talk about Socrates’ most and least convincing arguments on immortality, and explain what Socrates’ problem was with Anaxagoras.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Plato's The Republic

    976 Words  | 2 Pages

    “One of the best known and most influential philosophers of all time, Plato has been admired for thousands of years as a teacher, writer, and student. His works, thoughts, and theories have remained influential for more than 2000 years” (“Plato”). One of these great works by Plato that still remain an essential part of western philosophy today is, The Republic. Ten books are compiled to altogether make the dialog known as The Republic. The Republic consists of many major ideas and it becomes a dubious task to list and remember them all. Just alone in the first five books of the dialogue, many ideas begin to emerge and take shape. Three major ideas of The Republic; Books 1-5 by Plato, are: the question of what causes the inclination of a group,

    Read More

  • Analysis of Plato's The Republic

    2022 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Republic is an examination of the "Good Life"; the harmony reached by applying pure reason and justice. The ideas and arguments of Plato center on the social settings of an ideal republic - those that lead each person to the most perfect possible life for him. Socrates was  Plato's early mentor in real life.  As a tribute to his teacher, Plato uses Socrates in several of his works and dialogues.  Socrates moderates the discussion throughout, as Plato's mouthpiece. Through Socrates' powerful and brilliant questions and explanations on a series of topics, the reader comes to understand what Plato's model society would look like. The basic plan of the Republic is to draw an analogy between the operation of society as a whole and the life of any individual human being.  In this paper I will present Plato’s argument that the soul is divides into three parts.  I will examine what these parts are, and I will also explain his arguments behind this conclusion.  Finally, I will describe how Plato relates the three parts of the soul to a city the different social classes within that city.

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Plato's Pedagogy

    988 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Plato and Augustine’s Conceptions of Happiness

    1320 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his several dialogues, Plato contends the importance of the four virtues: wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice. In The Republic, he describes a top-down hierarchy that correlates to the aspects of one’s soul. Wisdom, courage, and temperance preside control over the rational, spirited, and appetitive aspects of the soul. It is when one maintains a balance between these aspects of his soul that he attains peace within himself: “...And when he has bound together the three principles within him...he proceeds to act...always thinking and calling that which preserves and cooperates with this harmonious condition (Plato 443c).” Wisdom and knowledge consistently remain at the top of his view of happiness. During the apology, Plato is asked what punishment is best suited for him. He sarcastically answers, “to be fed...(It is) much more suitable than for any one who has won a v...

    Read More

  • Morals and Ethics

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    Plato states that to understand virtue is happiness. In turn virtue suffices for happiness and is necessary. Also he intuits that human reasoning prevails over spirited element or a person?s appetite.

    Read More

  • Of Human Bondage, Or The Strength Of Emotions

    1990 Words  | 4 Pages

    [...] The power and capacity of learning exists in the soul already; and that just as the eye was unable to turn from darkness to light without the whole body, so too the instrument of knowledge can only by the movement of the whole soul be turned from the world of becoming into that of being, and learn by degrees to endure the sight of being, and of the brightest and best of being, or in other words, of the good.” (Plato, Republic, Book VII,

    Read More

More about Plato's Theory Of Education

Open Document