浅析柏拉图的教育思想

The Study on Plato’s Thoughts of Education 浅析柏拉图的教育思想

院系:英语学院

班级: T 0801

姓名:赵芸祺

学号:2101080409

Abstract:Plato's educational thought is profound. Plato is the first person to systematically probe the theory of moral education and then put it into practice in the Western educational history. There are abundant thoughts about moral education in his masterpiece. And its systematic and comprehensive educational theory has had unprecedented influence in world history of education. By explaining the foundation, the central idea, the goal and focal point of moral education profoundly and systematically, Plato has presented a realistic enlightenment for this field. Plato does believe that education should begin early, emphasizing the function of moral education and soul sublimation in guiding the students to use dialectics to achieve perfection. His thoughts include almost every stage from per-primary education to higher education. And this system of education, as it were, contains exhaustible source of ideas. So the Plato’s thoughts have the profound influence in modern education system, and the reform of education, although he didn’t know the present situation of education at that time.

Key Words: Plato; educational thoughts; Republic;

The Study on Plato’s Thoughts of Education

Introductory:Plato (BC427—BC347) was a very important classical Greek philosopher. He was a student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle. Plato is the first educator that explains systematically the educational thoughts in Western History of Education. His thoughts include almost every stage from per-primary education to higher education. And this system of education, as it were, contains exhaustible source of ideas. So for us, it is one of the great heritages in education. As Karl Raimund Popper has said,“The influence of Plato's works (either good or bad) are inestimable. People can say that western thoughts, or Plato, or is opposite of Plato, at any time not desperate to Plato.”Plato wrote his book, Republic, in the form of dialogues -- people talking about ideas, and sometimes disagreeing about them.

1.The Educational Thoughts in Republic

1.1 The Thought of Education for the Country

Plato is not only an educator on study, but also a man who always concerned with the state’s fate and development of human beings. He knows a country which do not emphasize will have no future. So he is the first thinker who is aware of this, and tries to combine the education and policy together in the Western History of Education. Plato thinks the ruler of the country must take care of the interest of the country, and protect the interest of the people. Such ruler is educated by the country, and then he is loyal to the country and the people. After that, the ruler governs their country with education. So Plato thinks the education as the essential means which maintain the order of Republic. Accordingly, the ruler should set up a policy about the education, provide funding for education, and establish the public educational organization from the from per-primary education to higher education.

Education is the biggest thing of the country, Plato thinks. His aim is that to establish a Republic and set up a country of Justice by education. Based on this, he makes the main goal of the education that nurturing a man who loves study and the truth, as a ruler for the Republic; training the people who are honesty, integrity and high moral ethics, to protect the country and the people. Besides, given a good education, the people become understanding. The country becomes peaceful and friendly. From this, it can be seen that the law just only control the country by the force, but the education can develop the country by the ethics. So the education is the foundation in governing a country. He says that those who are stronger in any