Plato's Theory Of Education

Humanity is in a constant process to better themselves, as a result of their self-transcending nature. The purpose of this process is to achieve an immortal soul. However, an individual cannot obtain this without first being educated in the system developed by Plato and after surpassing his methods, the individual will remain in a constant state of pursuing the classical virtues.

To fully analyze Plato's Theory of Education, an understanding of his Allegory of the Cave is necessary. This parable begins with several prisoners chained by their legs and necks to restrict their movement. They cannot converse with one another; they can only see the dark wall of the back of the cave in front of them. Behind them is a fire and with its light, several men show the prisoners shadows of puppets. These images become reality for the prisoners; the truth to them is nothing but the shadows cast by these elusive objects (VII). This parable is symbolic of every individual's mindset before beginning an education in philosophy. Without this education, the truth, unbeknownst to the individual, will remain in the shadows. As a result, the individual will never achieve an immortal soul without having absolute truth revealed to him and thus removing himself from the darkness of the cave. However, it is impossible for the individual to accomplish this alone. A teacher of dialectics is necessary in order to successfully and completely be immersed in Plato's Theory of Education.

Now, the best manner by which to accomplish this successfully is to engage in Plato's Metaphor of the Divided Line, which is described with great detail in book VII of The Republic, as well as through the following diagram:

Objects: Modes of Thought:

The Good (F...

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...these goods were enlarged, the individual's soul would thus achieve immortality. Meaning, in the afterlife, the individual's soul would join the One, the mind of God, in the world of Forms. In this divine world, the individual's soul would be placed in one of the many mansions surrounding the mind of God (VII).

However, this ultimate goal of an immortal soul is only possible by following the previously mentioned system. Without engaging in Plato's Theory of Education, the individual cannot obtain neither the highest form of philosophical thought, nor eternal life with God in one of the mansions surrounding His mind. Through Plato's system, the individual will be able to achieve the highest possible form of good; a well-ordered, virtuous, and immortal soul.

Works Cited

Plato, G. R. F. Ferrari, and Tom Griffith. The Republic. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2000. Print.