The Philosophy of Education in Ancient Greece: Socrates Educational Philosophy as a Model

Mohammed Dahrouch Sa'id

Abstract
This study explores the philosophy of education in ancient Greece by outlining its theoretical foundations, key principles, and major representatives, with a particular focus on the orientations, distinctive features, and enduring influence of Socrates educational philosophy. The research adopts a tripartite methodological framework: inductive, descriptive, and analytical, drawing upon classical philosophical texts to illuminate the role of education in Greek thought. The findings reveal that education held a central place in the reflections of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, achieving a level of systematic theorization that gave rise to two distinct educational traditions: the Spartan and the Athenian. Through their contributions, Greek education articulated its essential aims, namely the holistic development of the individual in physical, intellectual, spiritual, and technical dimensions. Socrates, in particular, stands at the forefront of this intellectual legacy. He conceived philosophy and education as inseparably intertwined, if not identical. For him, philosophy represented the perfection of knowledge for the perfection of action, while education was concerned with cultivating the human being in relation to morals, customs, and social life, seeking his happiness and flourishing through knowledge of his true nature rather than conformity to prevailing convention. The ultimate goal of education, in Socratic thought, is to shape the soul according to truth, goodness, and beauty, and to build a more virtuous society through the transformative power of education-enabling individuals to recognize their inherently good essence and orienting them toward the pursuit of moral excellence.

Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)