Plato’s famous allegory of the cave symbolizing levels of education originates in The Republic. In this allegory, Plato details the progression one should make through education. In his preferred idea of education, those imprisoned in the cave are incapable of forming thoughts or ideas themselves because all they know are the shadows on the wall. As these prisoners are able to see their surroundings, they become accustomed to the light of the fire. When they are no longer prisoners in the cave, they become accustomed to the light of the sun and take in everything around them as truth, instead of the shadows on the wall. Once they are able to look directly at the sun, they know that that is the reason for everything they know to be in existence.
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He believed it not only an important part of one’s own education, but for the education of others. Individuality should be asserted and celebrated, as “no one’s idea of excellence in conduct is that people should do absolutely nothing but copy one another” (Mill, p. 57). Mill would firstly have a problem with the lack of individuality in Plato’s vision of education. Secondly, Plato’s ideal society in general is very quiet because they have no part in deciding who will lead them. Plato assumes that guardians and citizens alike have the same ideas, so there is no room for differing opinions in Plato’s world. According to Mill, it is “imperative that human beings should be free to form opinions, and to express their opinions without reserve” (Mill, p. 55). This free exchange of opinions is the most important component of Mill’s ideal education. In Plato’s society, not only are citizens unable to access a formal education in general, there is a great disparity in sharing of opinions. Even if citizens do regularly share opinions, to Plato, they are inconsequential because these people have not been educated and cannot hold a position of power, so he assumes they agree with the leaders chosen. Plato sees a vague idea of temperance as necessary to a society functioning correctly. The temperances of guardians and citizens must match. Plato says, “complexity engendered intemperance,” while simplicity engenders temperance (Plato, p.88). This temperance is not just citizens following laws or being otherwise obedient, it is the “belief that the rationally calculating element should rule, and [others] do not engage in faction against it” (Plato, p. 131). Overall, Plato craves an obedient society ruled by guardians chosen by guardians chosen by guardians, all with the same education and ideas. Mill craves the complete opposite. By developing interesting and unique opinions
He believed it not only an important part of one’s own education, but for the education of others. Individuality should be asserted and celebrated, as “no one’s idea of excellence in conduct is that people should do absolutely nothing but copy one another” (Mill, p. 57). Mill would firstly have a problem with the lack of individuality in Plato’s vision of education. Secondly, Plato’s ideal society in general is very quiet because they have no part in deciding who will lead them. Plato assumes that guardians and citizens alike have the same ideas, so there is no room for differing opinions in Plato’s world. According to Mill, it is “imperative that human beings should be free to form opinions, and to express their opinions without reserve” (Mill, p. 55). This free exchange of opinions is the most important component of Mill’s ideal education. In Plato’s society, not only are citizens unable to access a formal education in general, there is a great disparity in sharing of opinions. Even if citizens do regularly share opinions, to Plato, they are inconsequential because these people have not been educated and cannot hold a position of power, so he assumes they agree with the leaders chosen. Plato sees a vague idea of temperance as necessary to a society functioning correctly. The temperances of guardians and citizens must match. Plato says, “complexity engendered intemperance,” while simplicity engenders temperance (Plato, p.88). This temperance is not just citizens following laws or being otherwise obedient, it is the “belief that the rationally calculating element should rule, and [others] do not engage in faction against it” (Plato, p. 131). Overall, Plato craves an obedient society ruled by guardians chosen by guardians chosen by guardians, all with the same education and ideas. Mill craves the complete opposite. By developing interesting and unique opinions