Reflection #11 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #11 EDF1005
Socrates impact on Western Education


How did Socrates ideas impact modern western education? As ancient as it might seems, the ideas of Socrates is a driving force that significantly impacted modern western education. His most significant contribution to western education might have been the elenchus method. This is a debate that produces a form of inquiry between individuals that hold opposing view that produce a form of questioning and answering in which to stimulate rational thinking and to shed light on new ideas. It is often that Socrates would bring no conclusion or positive advice but rather stirs up confusion. This however had its positive impact on the individuals as it would lead them to questioning and the search for greater knowledge. This genus started out with little or no knowledge of the subject but at the end ended up with a wealth of information. He was envied by many and as a result was put to death for violations. But even though he was put to death his influence lived on and might have given rise to many inventions and new information.
Various countries have developed a Socratic Method often independently but this method has now been adopted by many in our schools today. Teachers are now challenged to encourage critical thinking in the classrooms today. Taking into perspective the direct teaching instruction where teachers are the ones to produce, manage and give instruction and information. Do you think this method enhances learning to it’s maximum as do the constructivist instruction that is rather close to the Socratic Methods? In my opinion, no. When students are challenge to think, not only do they learn more but they develop a love for information and learning.
Socrates ideas encourages individuals to try new things and ideas that might have been made redundant because of set paradigms. It is an important method practice in the modern law schools. His ideas was not only important to education but also to human in general. He sheds light on happiness which he termed as moral excellence. He sets the stage as to what it truly mean to be happy. This I am in agreement with because no matter what material possession you have, it does not make you happy. It’s like the teaching profession, you are really happy when you know that you have done something virtuous, definitely not the salary. Even though there are many controversies Socrates had positive influence on education which is still dominant today.