PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION

ASSIGNMENT TOPIC: SOCRATES PHILOSOPHY

SUBMITTED TO: Dr MOHAMMAD NAJAM UL KASHIF
SUBMITTED BY: SHAGUFTA ABDUL WAHID
M.Phil 1st SEMESTER
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SBKWU
QUETTA

Socrates (469 BC- 399 BC)

His Origin:
Socrates was born in a Greek citystate Athens in 469 BC. He had a humble origin. His mother
was a nurse and his father was a sculptor. He did not receive any systematic education. It is quite
surprising that without any systematic education, he became one of the greatest philosophers of
the world. He initiated his professional career by joining Army but soon he left it and began
teaching to the youth of Athens. He did not start any educational institution.

His Death:
Socrates opposed the worship of idolatry. This incurred the wrath of the Athenians. They arrested
him in the charge of corrupting the youth. He was asked either to quit his teaching or to leave
Athens or to take a cup of hemlock (poison).
Socrates replied, Athens is my mother, I cannot leave her .I cannot also withdraw myself from
teaching the youth because education is the light that shows the right path. But I can drink the
hemlock to lay down my life for my people so in 399 BC he drank hemlock and breathed his last.
This was the sad end of Socrates who is still remembered for his wisdom and regarded as one of
the greatest philosophers of the world.

Socrates Philosophy
Socrates was the wisest man of his age. He was a great Greek philosopher. He was the teacher of
Plato. Socrates gave great importance to education. The basic features of his educational
philosophy are as follows:

1- Virtue is Knowledge:
According to Socrates, attaining and teaching education is the greatest virtue, because
education illuminates the life of people with social consciousness and eliminates the
darkness of ignorance. Socrates explained that virtue is a special and unique kind of
knowledge techne which combines technical understanding with the skill and character

to apply that knowledge. The knowledge can be achieved through knowing oneself. So
Socrates said, Know thyself.

2- Emphasized Practical Observation and Activities:

Socrates stressed his pupils to observe the nature and its system. It is the best way to get
education. Reality lies in nature. The formation of days and nights, the rise and setting of
sun and other activities in the nature opens the new way of consciousness.

3- Education in Natural Environment:

Socrates emphasized his students to get education in natural environment. Thats why he
never made any academy. He used to deliver his lecture to his students in open fields or
in gardens.

4- No Written Books:
Socrates never ever wrote any book about his teachings because he distrusted the
written work. He observed the nature and delivers his views to his pupils. All
that we know about his ideas are from the writings of Plato (his student).

5- Education is the Tool to Bring Revolution:

Socrates was averse to social system of Greece. He knew that the change could be
brought only by educating the youth. He ignored the education of old people.

6- Opposed the Democratic System:

Socrates opposed the democratic system of the Athens, because the Athenian people did
not know the art of politics. They were generally ignorant of the governing system.
According to Socrates only that person can rule the state that possesses the highest
wisdom.

7- Inductive Method:
Socrates adopted inductive method. He explained his ideas through a process of
induction, rather by a process of definition or deduction. He looks any issue from specific
point and then extended it to general discussion.

Method of Teaching:
Socrates invented a method of analysis and questioning, which is called the Socratic Method.
Socrates is known for his wisdom and his method of teaching, which was a kind of dialogue with
the students. He was concerned with investigating the meaning and truth of ideas by the
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technique of question and answer. By this method he laid the foundation of systematic
philosophical thought. Socratic Method of instruction involved at first a generalization from
ordinary experiences and then a definition of the essential ideas underlying the particular fact.
Socratic Method of instruction is also known as Question Answer Method, Conversation or
Quiz Method.

Aim of Socratic Method of Instruction:

The main aim of the Socratic Method was to bring the pupil to the point where he would be able
to realize his ignorance and thus acquire the attitude of the true learner.

Educational Implications of Socrates Philosophy:

Socratic Method of instruction has contributed to the teaching methodology in the following
manner:
1) It has given us the inductive approach.
2) Right types of questions are very helpful in leading the learners to the desired goals.
3) Quiz technique is the outcome of the Socratic Method.

Limitations of Socratic Method:

There is a great danger in Socratic Method that it is easier for teacher to employ the ironic part of
the Socratic quiz than the constructive phase. Many teachers lack the ability to use a series of
question as a method of developing an understanding of a major concept.

Impact of Socrates Philosophy

Socrates philosophy had far-reaching impact on the later course of history. It formed the basis of
Platos and Aristotles philosophy.

Impact on Platos Philosophy:

Socrates teaching laid the foundations of Platos thoughts. All the teachings of Plato revolve
around the personality of Socrates. Plato wrote his book Republic which aimed at condemning
the existing system of Athens and justifying the teachings and struggle of Socrates.

Impact on Aristotles Philosophy:

Aristotle was greatly impressed by the philosophy of Socrates. Thats why he criticized the
democratic values of Athens where the views of majorly ignorant people prevailed over minority
of wise people.

Conclusion:
Socrates was the greatest sage of his age. He protested against the ignorance prevailed in his
society and tried to create consciousness among the Athenian people. In this struggle he let down
his life and became immortal for all the ages. Socratic Method is about Good and Justice and to
examine ones own beliefs and evaluate their worth.
Socrates said it best,

The more you know, the more you realize how much you dont know.

References:
1) Aggarwal, J. C. Basic Ideas in Education. 3rd Revised Edition. 2006. Shipra Publications.
New Delhi.

2) Johnson, Tony, W. Reed, Ronald, F. Philosophical Documents in Education. Fourth

Edition. 2012. Pearson Publications. New Jersey. USA.
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates July 8th 2014. 9:35pm
4) http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/socr.htm July 8th 2014. 10:30pm
5) http;//www.philosophypages.com/hy/2d.htm. July 13th 2014. 8:00pm