Reflection # !3

Angela Gregoire
Reflection #13
The impact of the Ideas of Plato

Plato was a great educational philosopher and thinker. He can be considered as one of the founding fathers of education who has inspired many educators and philosophers worldwide. His theory, philosophy and ideas have assisted in creating the foundation of a strong education system. Plato was the student of Socrates, who was himself, was a man of great wisdom. Plato’s debating style was similar to that of his great teacher. Plato was a very creative individual and he was the founder of the first university in Athens.
Plato was certain that knowledge was achievable and debated this theory and concluded that knowledge emerged from experience. The concept of knowledge was examined thoroughly. He dealt with many issues and he evaluated strictly by reason. He was very enthusiastic when dealing his pupils and he passed on to them his keen sense of reasoning. His students in turn developed enquiring minds. He explored the differences between reality and knowledge and he encouraged his students to use the dialectic approach to think independently. He strongly advocated that teachers are not the maker of ideas, but instead prompt them in students’ minds so they could bring them out in the best possible ways. It was his belief that students had a lot of ideas but it was the teacher’s job to get out these ideas successfully. Plato was an analytic thinker and he wanted his students to have enquiring minds, to think logically and to question things in their environment. His method of enquiry is still used today in many institutions.
Plato emphasized strongly that harmony should exist among all classes of people, and that everyone should enjoy equal opportunity. He was a champion in social justice and equality. He also emphasized that everybody should be treated equally, fairly, and with great dignity. He constantly argued that harmony should exist among all classes of people and everybody should enjoy equal opportunity. Based on this principle he set up his concept of universal education, which was an excellent idea. He recommended that the state must provide education for all its citizens because education was very important and the key to get them out of poverty. He strongly advocated a kind of curriculum inclusive of physical education and stressed the importance of physical fitness and a healthy body. He maintained that physical education should not be a component of the extra curriculum, but instead included in the formal curriculum. Plato echoed the importance of educating the youth of society. He shared the view that human beings are created with skills and instincts and everyone can learn. He believed that everyone was capable of living a fulfilled life and for this to happen society should be well governed. He accepted that everyone can contribute meaningfully to society if only they do what is right.
This Greek philosopher viewed education as holistic if art, music, physical education, skills, and facts were included. Today all educators share that same view. He believed that all individuals were talented and the most gifted ones should be given suitable training. In saying that, he was promoting a selective type of education which in today’s context could be referred to as tracking. Plato’s views have been very inspirational to many educators and have helped shape the system which exists today. It is safe to say that his theories have helped to change the concept of education and Plato together with many other Greek philosophers have influenced our education system.