Three lines of argument are central to this book: that Plato's views as expounded in the Republic indicate that he was a utilitarian; that utilitarianism is the only acceptable ethical theory; that these conclusions have significant repercussions for education. Throughout the book the exposition of utilitarianism and the interpretation of the Republic are closely linked. The author assesses the nature of recent Platonic criticism and provides a critical summary of the Republic. He expounds and defends utilitarianismn and examines in greater depth the consequences for education of accepting a utilitarian position, showing how, for example, from this standpoint such key terms in educational debate as 'autonomy' and 'self-development' must be reassessed as educational objectives.
Author(s): Robin Barrow
Series: International Library of the Philosophy of Education 3
Edition: 1
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 158
Cover......Page 1
Contents......Page 6
General editor’s note......Page 8
Preface......Page 10
1 Plato’s critics......Page 11
2 Liberal-democratic philosophy......Page 16
2 What the Republic actually says......Page 23
3 Preliminary problems......Page 40
1 Introduction......Page 47
2 The concept of happiness......Page 49
3 Plato, the liberal-democrats and happiness......Page 59
1 That happiness is necessarily pursued......Page 68
2 That happiness constitutes the supreme moral principle......Page 76
1 Plato, the liberal-democrats and freedom......Page 82
2 Freedom of action, expression and thought......Page 91
3 Indoctrination......Page 96
4 Plato and indoctrination......Page 106
1 The principle of equality......Page 116
2 Class and power......Page 120
3 Equality of opportunity......Page 125
4 Plato and equality......Page 130
5 Justice......Page 133
1 Introduction......Page 138
2 Application of Platonic principles to education......Page 145
3 Conclusion......Page 158
Select bibliography......Page 162
Index......Page 163
