Socrates Report

Since the day we are born, we are always learning new things, whether it be language, simple body motions, or more complex tasks such as penmanship or sports. We are constantly striving to gain more knowledge. Education begins while children are in a vulnerable state and trust that whatever their parents do is the ‘right’ way to do things. Once children start their education in the real world, attending school, there are many different ways they are taught in the thirteen years they attend a system of education. In the times of Socrates, people were educated about mathematics and literature, but were only taught to believe in one religion,without an explanation. Socrates questions the limited beliefs of the people in his society, and began …show more content…
He says, “I am teaching him nothing, but am asking him all these questions.” (Meno, 84D). Socrates did not sit anyone down and tell them that their beliefs were wrong, he instead just asked questions that made people think about it. People were upset with him because he asked these questions, and I believe this is so because people in these days were afraid of ‘thinking outside the box’, foresee. People in these days were taught that there was one belief, and you never questioned it. You just believed in the Gods, and did as you were told, and that was it. That was the way it had been for a very long time before. So, for Socrates to question not only that belief, but the Gods, was crazy, and when he tried to get other people to do that, they were offended. Euthyphro says, “Yes, Socrates; and things more wonderful still, of which the world is in ignorance.” quote info This is sad, but summarizes how people in this time thought. They did not know the reason behind their beliefs, and were completely fine being oblivious to their errors. Socrates talking to Euthyphro is an example of when Socratic teaching should not be taught. Euthyphro could not handle it, and it seemed to seriously stunt his intellectual growth, and genuinely upset him. That is something that is not acceptable in todays time. On the other hand, Meno benefited from his conversation with Socrates. It broke him out of his comfort zone, and actually benefited his intellectual growth. While I agree with Socratic teaching, I also agree that if someone will react negatively like Euthyphro, they should not be taught that way. Socratic teaching should only be used if the teacher knows the student can handle it, and believes it will benefit