A study of some similarities and differences between Plato's educational system and twentieth century education in the United States

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore Plato?s basic educational system as advocated in The Republic and The Laws and to examine some of the similarities of the Platonic system of education and twentieth century concepts of public education in the United States. After determining the specific problem and its value to the writer and readers, the author studied the Platonic system of education through extensive library research. The Platonic system of education summarized and identified and then the author through extensive descriptive research tried to identify those similarities which were found in the United States educational system relative to the Platonic. Plato?s influence upon Western thought has been very great. It has been exerted in two main directions: 1. he stressed analysis and objective thought as he originated and developed the institution now called the Academy, and 2. He simultaneously held concern for the less objective as he philosophized about faith, visions, and mysticism to the extent of having influenced early growth of Christianity. Modern education is indebted to Plato. His ideas are pragmatic and selectively used in our educational system.