Education in Plato’s Days, Questioned by Karl Popper Cover Image

Educația în Vremea Lui Platon, Contestată de Karl Popper (RO)
Education in Plato’s Days, Questioned by Karl Popper

Author(s): Andreea Alexandra Kovaci
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Education, School education, History of Education
Published by: Universitatea Crestina "Dimitrie Cantemir"
Keywords: Plato; education; society; state organization; the Popperian vision;

Summary/Abstract: In Plato’s “Republic”, it is outlined the conception of the ideal human society. The paper examines the meanings of “justice” and “partiality” and their place in the governance of a “city.” Plato establishes a theoretical concept about what education means for both the individual and the state, focusing on the important role of educating the guards of the city. The Greek philosopher claims that the protection of citizens, laws and customs depends on the education of guards. For education to be complete, it must include: literature, music and gymnastics.In the first volume of the Open Society and Its Enemies, Karl Popper challenges the Platonic ideal of state stability with its rigid class divisions. Plato’s education system is attacked because it is designed as a tool to maintain class governance and to ensure that the mass of the people depends entirely on leaders.Popper develops, in his work, a critique of historicism and thus defends the open society and liberal democracy. Plato is considered a sympathizer of totalitarianism. Popper is extremely critical of the idea that the state should have complete authority and control over education, in addition to ensuring that all people have access to education.The purpose of this study was to analyse the concepts of education of Plato and Popper. The study focuses on Plato’s theory of the Republic and Popper’s critique of the education system. The results of the study indicate that education, regardless of its form, mass political project (see Plato) or critical analysis of a community (Karl Popper), is the cornerstone for the healthy and harmonious development of any society.

  • Issue Year: XII/2021
  • Issue No: 48
  • Page Range: 75-87
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Romanian