Philosophy of Education

The Socratic education, or Paideia, is foundational to the western intellectual tradition and influential in the modern world. Modern Liberal Arts education (developed at Harvard University, the University of Chicago, Yale University, and Princeton University - all are Liberal Arts colleges at the undergraduate level) is the quintessential paradigm of American education.

The origins of the Liberal Arts philosophy can be traced to Ancient Greece ca. 500 BCE. At this time, Athens was the epicenter of trade in the Mediterranean world. Statesman, soldiers, and traders convened in the port city of Athens and exchanged goods and ideas. Ancient tradition held that Pythagoras of Samos was the importer of a new type of learning to Greece - of philosophy, or "love of wisdom." The same ancient tradition held that Pythagoras had lived in Mesopotamia for ten years, and then in Egypt for ten years, and that the teaching he brought to Greece derived from what he learned among those two civilizations. It can be said that "philosophy" was born during a period of intense intercultural exchange ca. 500 BCE.

The Socratic Paideia, laid forth in Plato's Republic, is a rigorous educational life-path. Notably, it is identical for males and females. The Socratic Paideia balances practical and philosophical exercises designed to foster personal growth and preparation for civic life.

The Socratic Paideia includes:

• Education in poetry and literature

• Gymnastics and athletic activity

• Musical training and theory of music

• Artistic training and theory of art

• Advanced mathematical training

• Astronomy and cosmology

• Abstract mathematics

• Dialectic

According to Plato's Republic, this education unfolds across 60 years. Indeed, the goal of this education is to empower the free and independent citizen to their most characteristic work. The goal of the Socratic education is to empower a human being to lead a good life.

Modern Liberal Arts education descends from this tradition.