Plato's Theory of Education

Humanity is in a constant process to better themselves, as a result of their self-transcending nature. This intuitive quality pushes the soul to speculate on virtue and therefore, think philosophically. Achieving the highest form of philosophical thought will only occur if the individual has first been engaged in Plato's Theory of Education.

Though Plato argued that “the power and capacity of learning exists in the soul already” (VII), he also recognized that this education is a gradual process. This notion consists of several levels of thought and much like all educational systems, an individual cannot be expected to accomplish each level overnight. According to Plato's teacher and fellow philosopher, Socrates, educating youth in philosophy must be suitable to their age (492). Moreover, different teachers with different areas of expertise are required to aid the individual throughout the process.

Primarily, Plato's Theory of Education can be best described through his Metaphor of the Divided Line in books VI and VII of The Republic. This notion, according to Socrates, was separated into four divisions, each with its own mode of thought.

“At any rate, we are satisfied, as before, to have four divisions; two for intellect and two for opinion, and to call the first division science, the second understanding, the third belief, and the fourth perception of shadows” (525).

Each level consists of different concepts and approaches reason and analysis in extremely different manners. According to Socrates, through using this process, it became possible to reach a perfection of which all knowledge strives to achieve. This perfection is also referred to as the perception of the absolute good (531). However, this is not achieved wi...

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...d may be said to be not only the author of knowledge to all things known, but of their being and essence, and yet the good is not essence, but far exceeds essence in dignity and power” (492).

The Good, as well as other virtues of slightly less caliber, is understood in this division of Plato's Theory of Education. As the individual pursues these virtues, they will begin to realize them and as a result, will achieve immortality of their soul.

However, immortality of the soul can only occur if the individual is able to perceive their surroundings using philosophical thought. Additionally, and most importantly, this is only possible if the individual has been engaged in Plato's Theory of Education, leading them to the highest form of philosophical thought.

Works Cited

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