Socrates Vs Plato

The Republic is an insightful narrative dialogue written by Plato. In his narrative, he explicates his views on leadership, the human soul, and government. Yet another view that Plato touches on is education; as it relates to the educating of the Guardian class in his new city. The character Socrates and Glaucon discuss at length that education is an important step for the Guardians to become Philosopher Kings. Philosopher Kings are those who have naturally risen into the Guardian class and possess the true worthiness and wisdom to awake from the “shadows of reality.” Plato’s idea of Guardian education can be compared to the society of today. Based on Plato’s rhetoric through Socrates, it can be suggested that Plato did not concur with most

They are told in the hope that a lesson can be learned. Socrates goes on to make a point that while children are young, they are very impressionable. They can absorb behavior and ideas like sponges to water. Due to children’s ability to learn, Socrates does not think that what can be deemed as detrimental learning material should go heard by the ears young children. Socrates speaks negatively of the rudimentary myths that all Greeks have heard since they were born. There are countless myths where the gods have raped, stolen, been envious, or have been just plain deplorable. Socrates idea of a god is a being that has transcended all human behavior and reason. The Greek gods were at best, super powered and gifted human beings. Socrates’ thought was if they taught the traditional myths to the children that will grow up to become the Guardians then the Guardians will come to understand that lying, raping, and being envious are acceptable. As far as Plato is concerned, the Guardians were to know better than what the super powered humans did. He, Plato, disagreed with the storytelling method of teaching children. It sent the message lies are used to help institute a moralistic truth. Plato thought that facts should speak for the truth because a fictional story could potentially leave a bad notion in the minds of children and impede their development. Plato would most likely disagree with the modern concept of Santa Clause. He would most likely argue that we are teaching children that it is ok to break into people’s homes and leave presents for them. Modern society would tell him that it is the message of giving being better than receiving is the valuable message to be taken away from the Santa Clause story. Ultimately both modern society and Plato are concerned with the way children are to be educated