Plato and Locke on Education

Paper Summary:

This paper begins by looking at Plato's views on education in which he believes that educators must have a deep concern for the well-being and future of their subjects. He believed that education is a moral industry and the goal of educators should be to search for truth and virtue. They should use this truth and virtue to guide those that they teach. It then shows how John Locke's thoughts in "Some Thoughts Concerning Education" was similar to Plato's views in "The Republic," as Locke asserted that the goal of education is not to create a scholar, but rather to create a virtuous man.

From the Paper:

Plato revealed his ideas for an ideal society in The Republic, providing great detail regarding the shape and curriculum of an educational system. According to Plato, in an ideal society, the guardian class would be solely responsible for overseeing all matters. As an ideal society would already be perfect, there would be no need for change. Every person would have his place and slaves, craftsmen and merchants would understand what was expected of them. Slaves would serve others. Craftsmen and merchants would serve apprenticeships. And the guardian class would be educated to become rulers."

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