THE GREEK EDUCATIONALTHINKERS

As a result of the Persian War, there was a great expansion of all aspects of human life throughout Greece.

Athens became the center of trade and commerce taking full advantage of acquiring wealth and prestige

A new class of teachers arose called the SOPHISTS

The Sophists Very learned, well- traveled

men, usually non- citizens of Athens

Offered a totally new perspective in learning

Emphasized the art of speaking, taught declamation and oration, developed grammar and rhetorics as well as critical and reflective thinking

PROTAGORAS- chief of the Sophists believed that “MAN IS THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS” and stressed individual development

Based their philosophy on the doctrine of relativity of the truth- emphasizing individualism

Knowledge and truth are both dependent on judgements by the individual

The Pythagorean concept of unchanging mathematical relationship s as the essence of reality and the Eleatic principle that nature obeys laws of permanent being , that the laws of physics are permanent

They inquired whether or not such unchanging laws of nature could be accepted as the basis for laws governing man.

Assert that moral principles and legal codes are relative – shook the foundations of society

Turned their concern to the art of debate, techniques for convincing and or converting one’s opponent because of unavailability of absolute truth

The deep interest in grammar was motivated by the desire to manipulate to serve personal ends- interest was in winning the argument rather than prevailing the truth

Why was this disliked?1. Collection of fees for anything that a

student might learn from them2. They were aliens in Athens- posing

threat leading the students to deviate from the moral, ethical, social, political and religious traditions of the Athenians

3. The strong emphasis on individualism- might lead for self- aggrandizement and personal glory leading to the downfall of the foundation of Athenian society

The Greek Educational ThinkersDilemma ?????????Individu

al Liberty

Social Stabilit

y

Socrates (469- 399 BC) Accepted the fundamental principle

of Protagoras Postulated the concept Gnothi

Seauton or know thyself, for knowledge is a virtue and all virtuous actions are based on one’s knowledge.

Known for his Socratic Method a.k.a. Dialectic Method

Socratic Dialectic

IRONIC Destructive

Element

MAIEUTICConstructive

Element

- He was fond of asking thought provoking and at times unanswerable questions

- IRONIC ELEMENT- asking series of questions to contradict an original statement

- MAEIUTIC ELEMENT- asking series of questions conceiving the correct idea concerning the argumentunconscio

us ignorance

clear and reasoned

truth

Aims of Socratic Education1. Show that knowledge is the basis of

all right actions, including the art of living

2. Develop the power of correct thinking upon the individual

Plato (427- 347 B.C.) Taught the dialogues of Socrates Advocate a government which he considered

as aristocratic socialism- State must control everything and has the right and authority to determine who should be married

With handicaps and disabilities should not be permitted to procreate

Family life should be abolished deciding whether the child should live or not

Educational system was designed to accommodate both sexes and was the determiner of the social classes of the people

3 Distinct Classes of Society1. PHILOSOPHICAL CLASS

( Guardian of the Society)- devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, whose virtue was wisdom and whose duty was to rule the people

2. WARRIOR CLASS- devoted to warfare, whose virtue was honor, whose duty was to protect and defend the people according to the direction of their rulers

3. ARTISAN or INDUSTRIAL CLASS- devoted to trade and crafts, whose virtue was money- making, whose duty was to obey and support the other two classes

This may eventually lead to social justice

Membership in the class should be determined by intelligence, virtues and abilities

Plato’s Educational SystemAge Bracket Educational

TrainingCorrespondi

ng Social Class

0-7 Physical, Moral,

ReligiousArtisan

7-16 Literature, Music,

GymnasticsArtisan

16-20 Military Training Warrior

20-30 Scientific Training

Philosophical

At the age of 30- those who failed to show extraordinary talents remained given subordinate positions, those who excelled were given the highest level of education- “ Philosophical Training” ( Philosophy, Law, Logic, Dialectic and Leadership)

At the age of 35- they enter public service as administrators

At the age of 50- they retire from active service

Aristotle ( 384- 322 B.C.) Denied the basic tenet of Socrates and

Plato that knowledge is virtue- insisted that virtue is brought about by doing and not by knowing

Man is a social animal- he must use his reason and live according to his reason to attain his ultimate end SUMMUM BONUM- “ supreme good”

Stressed that reason functions when it controls conduct

Educational Ideals All outlined in his scientific treatises called

Ethics and Politics Advocated that democracy is the

government that would lead to the promotion and protection of the general welfare of the citizens

The responsibility of the state is the provision for quality education for her citizenry- in turn will secure the welfare of the state

Family should be strengthened providing the first educational experience of the individual

Educational System

MAN

BODY SOULFORMMATTER

body and soul are not two separate elements but are one thing.

Aristotle does not allow for the possibility of the immortality of the soul. The soul is simply the form of the body, and is not capable of existing without the body. The soul is that which makes a person a person rather than just a lump of meat! Without the body the soul cannot exist. The soul dies along with the body.

Age Bracket Educational Training

Birth- 7 Basic education at home in preparation for formal

schooling

7-20Formal schooling

Physical development- not only physical

strength but also self restraint and control of

passion and desire

21 and above

Scientific and philosophical training