Philosophy
The system of education that is laid forth in Book Three is based on personal experience and identification with the ideas and practices of the educational material. Socrates primarily speaks of education as it fits in with his city vision. Most notably, he discusses the roles of the individuals within the society (doctor, guardian, etc) and how although these courses are specialized in nature and end, there are some consistent principles that should guide the education of these people. The purpose of this Book is to outline these methods and means of learning.
First, Socrates states the significance of a man?s passion in his willing and capability to do his job well. In consideration of the selection of guardians, Socrates states: ?A man would care most for that which he happened to love?and wouldn?t he surely love something most when he believed that the same things are advantageous to it and to himself?we must select from the? guardians the sort of men who?look as if they were entirely eager to do what they believe to be advantageous to the city? (412). Socrates here states that a) guardians must realize that their service to the city is also advantageous to themselves and b) they must be the most passionate spirited in their service possible.
This first theory by Socrates is reflected in the philosophy of the Vermont Commons School. Our School is sure to apply all knowledge to the real world and even make interdisciplinary examples when possible; it does not teach empty knowledge, but rather prepares students for the real world with engaging and often fun experiences such as the research and service projects or our encounter weeks. This builds spirit and excitement around the prospect of education and finding a role in society while simultaneously building an understanding of the world and how our influence over the conditions of this earth will prove to be advantageous or disadvantageous for ourselves. This direct relationship between our involvement (and how we choose to involve ourselves) in the current state of affairs and the output being a good or bad thing on a personal level is displayed through our ecologically and earth science-based curriculum.
The other important point that Socrates made in specifying the system of education for his ?city? concerned the personal identification and background of a person with a specific role. Socrates uses the role of a doctor in his ?city? to demonstrate this point: ?Doctors?would prove cleverest if, beginning in childhood, in addition to learning the art, they should be familiar with very many and very bad bodies and should themselves suffer all diseases and not be quite healthy by nature. For I don?t suppose they care for a body with a body?but for a body with a soul? (408e).
This personal identification with a role in society based on a commitment to a field of study or aspect of our culture is an aspect of education that is often overlooked in conventional systems of education. However, at the Vermont Commons School, we remain true in our Platonic conformity once more as we are taught that every living creature has a personal investment in the our surroundings. Our investment is in our neighborhood, in our cities, in our environment, and in any community in which we exist. Our specialized programs such as research and service and our ecologically-based curricumlum help develop this identity and strengthen these bonds of the students. Our community-wide activities also boost this cohesion within the smallest but certainly not least important level of community as well: within our school.
By reading Book Three, I was able to make some important realizations and criticisms concerning the conventional educational system in our country. In addition, I saw the Socratic virtue of Vermont Commons; it undoubtedly stands in the spirit of Platonic theory concerning education and learning. Everything from the setup of the chairs facing pupil and teacher as equals to the style of classes where we are driven to our own conclusions through questions and real-world applications of learning contributes to this atmosphere. As outlined in this paper and the entire of The Republic, these virtues contribute to a positive and strong academic environment based on these ideals of the Republic.
- Why Are The Many Bad?
October 30, 2005 Book VI According to book six in The Republic of Plato Socrates defines how and what causes and defines the corrupt or bad person, the many. According to Socrates, virtues also shared by the true philosophers such as courage and...
- Socrates' Feminist Activism
Note to Rob: this paper was in fact written on time for Friday, October 14th. My blogger information was unaccessible to me and I recently took care of this technical issue. However, if my word isn't enough, email records will back me up. Now onto...
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- Diversity Of Knowledge- To Think Or Not To Think
In book three of The Republic Socrates plays with the idea of education in the ideal city. They discuss the differences in styles and the importance of certain types of subjects and the effect that can have on an individual and a cities development. Education...
- Jon Lange: Education Of Plato Vs. Vcs
What is the perfect education? According to Plato the perfect education is based around totalitarianism. In numerous sections of the reading, one infers that Plato believes censorship and even propaganda were best for the state. While this is coherent...
Philosophy
A Platonic Approach to Education
The system of education that is laid forth in Book Three is based on personal experience and identification with the ideas and practices of the educational material. Socrates primarily speaks of education as it fits in with his city vision. Most notably, he discusses the roles of the individuals within the society (doctor, guardian, etc) and how although these courses are specialized in nature and end, there are some consistent principles that should guide the education of these people. The purpose of this Book is to outline these methods and means of learning.
First, Socrates states the significance of a man?s passion in his willing and capability to do his job well. In consideration of the selection of guardians, Socrates states: ?A man would care most for that which he happened to love?and wouldn?t he surely love something most when he believed that the same things are advantageous to it and to himself?we must select from the? guardians the sort of men who?look as if they were entirely eager to do what they believe to be advantageous to the city? (412). Socrates here states that a) guardians must realize that their service to the city is also advantageous to themselves and b) they must be the most passionate spirited in their service possible.
This first theory by Socrates is reflected in the philosophy of the Vermont Commons School. Our School is sure to apply all knowledge to the real world and even make interdisciplinary examples when possible; it does not teach empty knowledge, but rather prepares students for the real world with engaging and often fun experiences such as the research and service projects or our encounter weeks. This builds spirit and excitement around the prospect of education and finding a role in society while simultaneously building an understanding of the world and how our influence over the conditions of this earth will prove to be advantageous or disadvantageous for ourselves. This direct relationship between our involvement (and how we choose to involve ourselves) in the current state of affairs and the output being a good or bad thing on a personal level is displayed through our ecologically and earth science-based curriculum.
The other important point that Socrates made in specifying the system of education for his ?city? concerned the personal identification and background of a person with a specific role. Socrates uses the role of a doctor in his ?city? to demonstrate this point: ?Doctors?would prove cleverest if, beginning in childhood, in addition to learning the art, they should be familiar with very many and very bad bodies and should themselves suffer all diseases and not be quite healthy by nature. For I don?t suppose they care for a body with a body?but for a body with a soul? (408e).
This personal identification with a role in society based on a commitment to a field of study or aspect of our culture is an aspect of education that is often overlooked in conventional systems of education. However, at the Vermont Commons School, we remain true in our Platonic conformity once more as we are taught that every living creature has a personal investment in the our surroundings. Our investment is in our neighborhood, in our cities, in our environment, and in any community in which we exist. Our specialized programs such as research and service and our ecologically-based curricumlum help develop this identity and strengthen these bonds of the students. Our community-wide activities also boost this cohesion within the smallest but certainly not least important level of community as well: within our school.
By reading Book Three, I was able to make some important realizations and criticisms concerning the conventional educational system in our country. In addition, I saw the Socratic virtue of Vermont Commons; it undoubtedly stands in the spirit of Platonic theory concerning education and learning. Everything from the setup of the chairs facing pupil and teacher as equals to the style of classes where we are driven to our own conclusions through questions and real-world applications of learning contributes to this atmosphere. As outlined in this paper and the entire of The Republic, these virtues contribute to a positive and strong academic environment based on these ideals of the Republic.
- Why Are The Many Bad?
October 30, 2005 Book VI According to book six in The Republic of Plato Socrates defines how and what causes and defines the corrupt or bad person, the many. According to Socrates, virtues also shared by the true philosophers such as courage and...
- Socrates' Feminist Activism
Note to Rob: this paper was in fact written on time for Friday, October 14th. My blogger information was unaccessible to me and I recently took care of this technical issue. However, if my word isn't enough, email records will back me up. Now onto...
- A Feminist In Greece?
A Feminist in Greece? Kyler M. Robinson Socrates is a great thinker and his philosophies can be applied to nearly all aspects of modern and past society. While his ideas often challenge traditional thinking, in respect to the feminist agenda he...
- Diversity Of Knowledge- To Think Or Not To Think
In book three of The Republic Socrates plays with the idea of education in the ideal city. They discuss the differences in styles and the importance of certain types of subjects and the effect that can have on an individual and a cities development. Education...
- Jon Lange: Education Of Plato Vs. Vcs
What is the perfect education? According to Plato the perfect education is based around totalitarianism. In numerous sections of the reading, one infers that Plato believes censorship and even propaganda were best for the state. While this is coherent...