Single Idea 4331

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 5. Education / c. Teaching]

Full Idea

I call 'education' the initial acquisition of virtue by the child, when the feelings of pleasure and affection, pain and hatred, are channelled in the right courses before he can understand the reason why.

Gist of Idea

Education is channelling a child's feelings into the right course before it understands why

Source

Plato (The Laws [c.349 BCE], 653b)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.1344


A Reaction

A precursor of Aristotle's view (Ethics 1104b11). A profound, simple and important insight.