Educational philosophy of Plato

Educational philosophy of Plato

2. Plato 427-347 B.C

3. Rousseau, one of the greatest philosophers of the
world, has paid his tribute to Plato in theses words:
‘’If you wish to know what is meant by public
education, read Plato’s Republic. It is the finest
treatise on education ever written.’’
Acc. To Emerson ‘’Out of Plato come all things that
are still written and debated among men of thought.’’
A.N. Whitehead says, ‘’The whole of modern
philosophy is a series of footnotes on Plato.’’
Plato was born in Athens in 427 in a distinguished
family. His father was a skilful player. At that time
games were considered as an important medium of
educating children.

4. Contact with Socrates:
At the age of 20 , Plato came in contact with
Socrates, a great philosopher of his age, though
due to all the economic differences Socrates was
ideal person for Plato who he followed his entire
life. Socrates could not come in terms of the
ideology of the rulers of that time in the quest of
truth, so he couldn’t find favour in their presence.
So he was asked to end his life by taking poison.

5. •After the death of his teacher Plato was
greatly disturbed and left Athense in search
of truth and reached Egypt and was greatly
influenced by the educational system of
that country, from there he proceeded to
Italy and studied the theory of Pythagoras.
In sicily he studied the administrative
system by attending the court of King
Dionysus.

6. Publications
Republic
Laws of Plato
These two books provide us a lot of knowledge
about his educational ideals and programmes.

7. Plato as an Idealist philosopher
•Plato believed that the soul is immortal. Since soul is
immortal, it enters in to the body even before the child
is born. Thus knowledge is present in the child before
birth. The process of education should refine this
knowledge. Plato considered the soul imbibed with
virtues. Wisdom is the eye of the soul. The aim of the
life of man is to realize this ‘spiritual wisdom’. This
wisdom should be awakened through education. The
philosophy of Plato is known as the ‘Theory of Forms’.
•Plato emphasized the development of qualities of
citizenship. i.e., truth, beauty and goodness.

8. Meaning of Education According to Plato
•Palto was an idealist and he fully realised the needs of
human body and soul. He wrote ‘’Education consists of
giving to the bodyand soul all the perfection of which they
are susceptible’’. In his book Laws, he wrote, ‘’ True
education would develop brotherhood. Man is the highest
creation. Still he needs education. He will become the
most uncivilized living being on earth, if he is not given
education’’.
•Plato regarded education as a process of moral training.
He wrote, ‘’I mean by education that training which is
given by suitable habits to the first instincts of virtue in
children which leads you always to hate what you ought to
hate and love what you ought to love, from the beginging
of life to the end.

9. •Morality acc. To Plato includes:
•Truth
•Controll on desire i.e., self restraint,
•Intense comprehension
•Justice, memory and goodness

10. Objectives of Education
•1.Incalcating sentiments of love for truth, beauty and
goodness
•2. Harmonising the personality of the child
•3. Producing self-governing individual
•4. Developing a spirit of harmony among children
•5. Developing wisdom
•6. Identifying conflicting elements I life and
harmonising them
•7. Harmonising body, mind and soul
•8. Protecting the unity and integrity of the state
•9. Developing the civil efficiency

11. Education of the Classes
•Education of the rulers, soldiers and businessmen were necessary
but did not feel the importance of educating the slave or the
fourth class of the society. Plato suggested various kinds of tests
to be conducted at different age levels.

•In the first place, primary education will be given to all between
the ages of 7 and 20. Those who fail in the exams should be sent
to labour in the various occupations and productive trades. The
successful candidates should be sent to armed forces where
training will be imparted to them for the next ten years.

•After training again a test will be conducted and the failed
candidates will remain back in the armed forces and others will
join the government. Those in the government will continue with
their higher education in various disciplines specially science.
Later one among them will be elected as a philosopher
administrator whose task will be to look after the state education
and hold the highest rank in the state.

12. Curriculum



•Most probably Plato was the first educator in
the western world who presented some
organisation of the curriculum.

13. Three- fold Division of the Curriculum


Sbj. for phy.devt Subj. for Intel. Devt Subj. for Aesthetic devt.

14. Three fold classification of Curriculum-
Relating to Three Aspects of Idealism





Truth Goodness Beauty

15. Educational Contribution of Plato

•Plato emphasised the balanced development
of the personality
•He laid stress on inculcating the values of
good citizenship
•He advanced moral training
•He formulated a definite system of education
which included specific curriculum for specific
stages

16. Limitations of Plato’s education
system
•Laid too much emphasis on philosophy
•He neglected the education of the labour class
•Laid more emphasis on Maths than literature
•Mostly education was based on class system
•Neglected technical education