Plato's Theory on Education
Plato's Theory on Education
It is responsibility of state to provide education.
Education:
- Elementary Education
- Higher Education
Elementary Education:
Plato was of the opinion that for the first 10 years, there should be predominantly physical education. In other words, every school must have a gymnasium and a playground in order to develop the physique and health of children and make them resistant to any disease. Apart from this physical education, Plato also recommended music to bring about certain refinement in their character and lend grace and health to the soul and the body. Plato also prescribed subjects such as mathematics, history and science. The content of
education comprised of gymnastics, literature, music and elementary mathematics. Gymnastics is essential for the physical and mental growth. Music is chosen as the medium of education, an avenue for the spiritual growth, and ideas are the contents of education for this stage.
Higher Education:
According to Plato, at the age of 20, the child must take an examination that would determine whether or not to pursue higher education. Those who failed in the examination were asked to take up activities in the community such as businessmen, clerks, workers, farmers and the like. These selections were in
accordance with the age and stage to which these students were admitted. Plato emphasised that education must start early.
The first course in the scheme would last ten years from the age group of twenty five to thirty years, and in this age they get the training of Mathematical calculation and last for another ten years,
after the completion the selected ones are admitted in the study of dialect. Here students undergo mathematical training preparatory to dialectic. Plato has highlighted the qualities needed for an individual to enter higher education. He proclaimed that preference should be given to the surest, bravest, fairest and those who have the natural gifts to facilitate their education.
Dialectic: meaning:
- the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions.
- a way of discovering what is true by considering opposite theories
- Dialectic is a formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth through the exchange of logical arguments.
From the age thirty to thirty five, Plato restricted the study of dialectic to this age because he felt that
an individual should be mature enough to carry on the study in dialectics, especially about ultimate principles of reality. In the next stage, from thirty five to fifty years, according to Plato, an individual is ready as a philosopher or ruler, to return to practical life to take command in war and hold such offices of state as
befits him. After reaching 50, one should spend the life in contemplation of “the Good” as their chief pursuit should be philosophy and should participate in politics, and rule for the good of the people as a matter of their duty.
**The true goal of education for both Plato and Aristotle was to inculcate the values of civic virtues. They framed an educational curriculum that would impart “a moral liberal education rather
than a study of political science.