The Philosophy Of Education And Virtue

It became clear that in order to form a sound, functional democracy, education was most essential. Every citizen, although at the time only males could be citizens, needed to have some form of education. What was it that the citizen was to learn while in school? It became clear that education itself consisted of literacy, knowledge, research and the understanding of the Bill of Rights; those are what would make democracy succeed (Barber 416). Education as it was understood not only consisted of the basics, but also consisted of the government and rights. The importance of knowledge of government was not underestimated. He described the tuning point in education as the industrial revolution. Barber says “We have watch this commercialization and privatization, a distortion of the education mission and its content, going to the heart of our schools themselves.” (417). He is arguing that devices and television programs have become diluted with advertisements and that, with programs like Channel One, they have begun to affect education in schools. Tannen, on the other hand, argues that education and its present forms gained traction with the Greeks and continued through the middle ages. She tells how young men left home to attend institutions of higher learning. Through their experiences she says, “students at these institutions were trained not to discover the truth but to argue either side of

We spend about seven hours at school every day for five days every week for nine months out of the year. It becomes our second home, and it is supposed to teach us they ways of the world and how to survive in it. However, just like everything valuable, it comes at a price, which often is in the form of a student’s health, sanity, and originality. Given that Thoreau, Emerson, and other transcendentalists value individualism and freedom of thought as essential aspects of a human being’s life, they would despise the education system of today, as it forces students to conform and restrain their minds in order to be successful.

However education did not just fall under basic reading, writing, etc, but morals as well. Although I do believe that education what not so much for the common good of society, but so that they can have well-cultured workers in the future. Document 3 was written by William H. McGuffey. McGuffey was a Pennsylvania teacher who created a series of elementary textbooks that became widely used to teach reading and morality. Document 4 happens to support my previous claim, it states,”the benefits of the highest physical, intellectual and moral education… to institute

Nevertheless, education of the “elite” in isolation of the “masses” provides value for society, as those with inherent gifts are given tools to improve their quality of life, while also using their learned moral responsibilities to make a better society, thereby benefitting

education, a student can access their toolbox of senses and resources as they adventure as a puzzle piece of society. Some people who do not pursue higher education are therefore not as well equipped. As Plato (306) would say, “I think that he would rather suffer anything than entertain these false notions and live in this miserable

We have been talking about education for several years. In Book V, Plato writes about what

One of America's champions of education and a clear proponent of the principles of democracy, Thomas Jefferson, thought that until America had universal education it could never endure universal suffrage. Ignorant individuals have no basis in understanding democracy, and are not capable of self-government. However, with the application of education, he believed that the masses could rise to the occasion of good citizenry (Van De Mille). In the United States, free public education is mandated from kindergarten to 12th grade, and education is offered from pre-school to graduate school. Yet the system is in crisis in many ways, among which, recruitment and retention of qualified teachers to lead the necessary changes that will allow students to actualize and become intelligent global citizens.

In chapter 7 of Plato's book The Republic, Socrates describes the importance and benefits of education and philosophy. He makes specific points and examples to show that without growing humanity would suffer. Also, Socrates also shows how one man learning can change a whole group of people. Socrates proves that education opens the eyes of many and he does that by using the allegory of the cave. Socrates describes the allegory of the cave by describing a story about a group of prisoners that have lived in a dark cave their whole lives.

In class there was a discussion about virtue and whether it was taught while we read Meno by Plato. Meno and Socrates came to the conclusion that it couldn’t be taught.I feel like this is incorrect and and virtue can be taught. It just really depends on who the teacher is. I believe virtue is being patient, caring and trustworthy. When I went into Johnson Street Elementary I looked hard to find virtue being taught. I didn’t expect to find virtue being taught...especially with the ratios of children to teachers in the classroom.

Plato's Republic is a blueprint for his ideal society. In his republic education is something only attainable to the philosopher-kings. It is beneficial for the philosopher-kings to be very well educated so they will make good decisions while they are ruling the republic. The reason that no one else should receive such an elaborate education (in Plato's opinion) is because the rest of the people in the city only need to do what they are specialized in. This seems to be divergent from what Socrates previously said, ."..the power to learn is present in everyone's

Learning how to be a positive contributor to society is an important expectation of society. When students are in class, he or she are expected to soak up as much of the information as they can and eventually apply it, forwarding the progress of a nation. Society expects school to teach knowledge. Not waste time attempting to shape opinion, or recruit students for political and social causes.

“Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments. Compulsory school attendance laws and the great expenditures for education both demonstrate our recognition of the importance of education to our democratic society. It is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities, even service in the armed forces. It is the very foundation of good citizenship. Today it is a principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him for later

My whole childhood I always dreamed about being a teacher. During school breaks, weekends, and summers, I would set up a “classroom” in my basement and my friends and I would play school. I would be the teacher most of the time. It takes a very special person to be a teacher, not everyone is teacher material. You have to be very patient, kind, and caring of all students you work with and encounter through your day and year.

In order for a society to function, individuals must be productive members of that society. This is accomplished through education. The philosophy of education is determined by society. As society changes so does the concept of education.

Amongst the many topics debated in education circles, it is easy to forget the choice of what we teach and why is of paramount importance. Critical reflection on the relevance of educational philosophers, both past and present, is essential to understanding curriculum choices. With regard to these statements, I wish to apply to this program as a result of a strong professional and personal interest in philosophers of education. More specifically, gaining a deeper understanding of behavioral and functional psychology in education can enhance my current work in many ways. The theories of philosopher’s such as William James have direct implications in my work. For example, by considering the role of acquisition and association of ideas in teaching and learning, I would be broadening my overall knowledge. Additionally, understanding the impact of interest, attention and memory on learning are key components that would enhance my teaching abilities and benefit my students.