Education Theory by Plato

Plato was born in Athens in 427 B.C in a wealthy and influential family. Plato began his philosophical career as a student of Socrates. When the master died, Plato traveled to Egypt and Italy, studied with students of Pythagoras, and spent several years advising the ruling family of Syracuse. Eventually, he returned to Athens and established his own school of philosophy at the Academy.
About 387 BC, Plato founded a school in Athens, in a grove sacred to the demigod Academe, called the Academy (which is where we get the word academics from today

Plato's Educational Theories 

For the purpose of argument, Plato divides the state into 'three classes corresponding with the three parts of the soul –

1. The appetite (desire, pleasure-seeking, etc.).
2. The spirited (energy, courage), and 
3. The rational (wisdom).

He argues that in a state there are similarly three classes of people: the appetite (economic) class, dominated by desire and appetites, such as farmers, laborers and businessmen; then the spirited (military) class, dominated by courage discipline and self-restraint; and finally the rational (governing) class, dominated by the elements of real justice, in political and educational spheres, is maintained and each of these classes performs its specific functions without interring with the activities of the others.
 

In order to bring about a harmonious relationship between this three social classes in his ideal state, Plato suggested a king of higher but communistic type of education for the two upper classes of the society that is the military class (auxiliaries) and the philosopher rulers. Communism of property and family life was suggested for both the male and female members of these two classes while members of the appetite class were left free to indulge in the acquisition of wealth and thereby satisfy the basic principles of appetite. Plato felt that this system would create the much needed justice and happiness within the state, which is itself an educational institution; for, the appetite class would never think of interfering with the austere life and strict discipline of the two upper, classes while members of these classes would be happy enough to guard and rule the state not for the purpose of enriching themselves, as the majority of political leaders all over the world do today, but

Aim of Education

Plato's philosophy of education aims at preparing learners for future life. Plato's significance lies in giving a clear understanding to educators about the meaning of different concepts that appeared in the discourse on education in the history. These concepts include ideas, reason, goodness, metaphysics, dialectics, sense perception, representation, and virtue, art as a medium of instruction, motivation and truth. If one looks closely at these concepts, one can easily find that in any discourse on educational philosophy, these words make more frequent appearances. Plato's philosophy helps us in understanding these terms.

1. The first objective was state unity: The first objective of education must be to develop the sense or feeling of community life. Every citizen must be trained to dedicate himself unreservedly to the state and to go private interests. All people must be ideal citizens.
2. Second objective was to develop virtue or civic efficiency: Education should instill habits of temperance, courage and military skill into the youth. Plato aimed to prepare for the higher duties of civil and social life by imparting to the youth accurate knowledge of the government and of the absolute truth. Education should train an individual in his duties and rights as a citizen.  
3. The next objective is to establish the rule of reason in the growing life of a child. 
4. Development of the aesthetic sensibility. Education must aim to produce a love for the truth, the beauty and the goodness. The child should be kept in a beautiful environment.  
5. Another function of education is to teach children to live in harmony. The school should be the greatest humanizing and socializing agency. 
6. The aim of education is achieving human perfection. It involves the total training of character and aims at producing a morally mature individual. It is, in other words, fundamentally moral in nature.  It involves the total training of character. Its goal is to produce people who are attracted to the good and repulsed by the evil.

The object of education is to turn the eye, which the soul already possesses, to the light. The whole function of education is not to put knowledge into the soul, but to bring out the best things that are latent in the soul, and to do so by directing itto the right objects. The problem of education, then, is to give it in the right surrounding.” This is the insight model of philosophy.

Stages of Education

Plato's model of education can be called “functionalist”: a model designed to produce competent adults to meet the needs of the state. He had definite ideas about a good life and what we call self-actualization which according to Plato formed the backbone of the academic curriculum.
According to Plato there are different stages of life and he has suggested proper education for these periods:

1. First stage: (0-6): Plato believed that education began from the age of seven and before these children should stay with their mothers for moral education and genders should be allowed to plays with each other.
2. Second stage (7-17): This stage is till the age of seventeen. The content of education comprises Gymnastics, literature, music 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.
3. The third stage (18-20): This stage is meant for cadet ship and is related to physical and military training. The youth are bought into the stage of battle in this age.
4. The fourth stage (20-30): This stage is from twenty to thirty where advance mathematics and their relation to reality are taught. 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.
5. The fifth stage (30-35): This age is from ages 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 dialectic, especially about ultimate principles of reality.
6. The six stage (35-50): This age is from thirty five to fifty years,  when 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” 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.

Teaching Method 

Plato recommended play method at elementary level; student should learn by doing. And when he/she reaches the higher level of education, his reason would be trained in the processes of thinking and abstracting.
Plato wanted motivation and interesting learning. He was against the use of force in education. “Knowledge which is acquired under force acquires no hold on the mind”.
Plato wanted a place where children love to go and stay there and they play with things which enhance their education by playing. 
Plato summed up as consisting in gymnastics for the body, and music for the soul. For this reason musical education is essential; since it causes Rhythm and Harmony to penetrate most intimately into the soul, taking the strongest hold upon it, filling it with beauty and making the man beautiful-minded.
He also tell some technique those are given below

1. Storytelling and literature
2. Play:
3. Physical education:
4. Reading and writing, 
5. Music 
6. Arithmetic

Curriculum

1. Elementary: All boys and girls would be educated together. They would study mathematics, literature, poetry, and music until they were eighteen years of age.
2. Military Training: The next two years of the youth's life would be devoted to physical education alone. Thereafter, the best youths would be selected for the higher education given to future guardians of the state. 
3. Higher Education: Between the ages of twenty and thirty-five, the future guardian would receive a higher education to prepare him for ruling the state. His studies would include mathematics, music and literature. At the age of thirty he would have enough maturity to begin his study of philosophy. At thirty-five, his formal education would cease and he would enter upon a minor administrative position, prior to undertaking more important governing position.

Female Education

Plato also emphasized on women education. Women should have the same physical and educational training; they should know the art of war. The main aim of education was that each member of the society should undertake his work and responsibilities.
Plato believed that women are equal to men and that, although some women are physically smaller or weaker and some women are physically equal to men. Therefore those women who are physically strong should be allowed to learn the same skills that men do. In his book Republic Plato describes how male and female receive the same education and be given the same duties in society as given to the male member. These people are the ones who will being charge his republic which would be an ideal society, where philosophers are the kings. In other words, who know what is good for the people and for the mankind and take their decisions based on that knowledge.

Criticism of this Theory

1. Little Education for Productive Classes: In Plato’s pattern of education the productive class is granted only primary education which implies, higher education is intended for soldiers and governing classes and the labor class has no need for such an education.
2. No individual differences: Plato suggested same kind of education to be given to an entire class of people, according to uniform curriculum. This will lead to creation of only one kind of citizen leading to lack of variety and static monotony. 
3. Neglect of Literary Education: Plato’s curriculum also neglects training in literature by stressing the importance in mathematics. 
4. Stress on Philosophy: Some people get the impression that Plato’s determination on philosophy is exaggerated, and that it could lead to an increase in the number of contemplative individuals at the expense of more practical members.

In spite of the above defects, Plato’s concept of education has influenced educational philosophy in almost all ages. In particular, his influence can be seen in the idealist philosophy of education. And, many of the finest teachers still consider Plato as the only true guide.