Plato |
Plato
According to Plato's philosophy, the ideal society is possible when all people are committed to the notion
of a common good. In Plato's society, individuals function collectively in the interest of
achieving social benefits for all. Each person's interest is contingent upon the society
as a whole for this is the only way that the idealized system can work.
In Plato's vision of the idealized society, however, the common people have to be
guided through education by an elite group of philosopher-kings. These philosopher-kings are people who are capable, by virtue of their
inherent wisdom and education understanding, of leading the general populace in ways
that ensure the stability of society.
In terms of advocating a program of education, Plato emphasized
music and gymnastics in order to develop a balance between body and mind.
In Plato's time, however, music encompassed, as he himself put it poetry, letters and
intellectual matters. For Plato, music ought to be the very first subject to be taught to
children, preferably before they are introduced to gymnastics.
Plato advocated the education for all people.In his view, once a child's natural tendencies or
talents are recognized, he or she ought to be guided in directions that best support those
abilities. In his views, citizens are created early in life, while specicialized vocational training
doesn't need to come till later in life. At such time, Plato believed that life experience
would already teach an individual about the value of the trade to which he wishes to commit himself.
Plato was probably one of the first people to devise tests and a grading system for those destined to
become the social elite and those who would belong to the lower social classes. By passing comprehensive exams in
subjects including and gymnastics, a student could pass through the different levels of education
if he made the appropriate grades. The highest grade a student could receive was the immaculategrade; the lowest was the rejectedgrade. Those who came through with immaculate rankings were thereby
selected to positions among the elite ruling class, while the rejected,who were generally the majority of the populace,
sought work and positions wherever they could find them.
THE WORKS OF PLATO
Phaedo
Phaedrus
The Republic
Symposium
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