Through this, he shows that teachers should not force ideas upon students but rather lead students to form their own ideas. Socrates says that “no free person should learn anything like a slave” because “nothing taught by force stays in the soul” (536e). So instead of telling his peers the answers to the questions he asks and forcing information on to them, Socrates teaches them through examples. The allegory of the cave described in book VII is used as a concrete way for Socrates to portray his intangible ideas of the visible and intelligible realm (517b). He also uses this allegory to reiterate that “education isn’t what some people declare it to be, namely, putting knowledge into souls that lack it, like putting sight into blind eyes” which is seen when the enlightened prisoner feels obligated to go back and share with his friends what he has learned. Just like this prisoner, Socrates feels obligated to educate his friends in a way by which they will gain a deeper understanding. This is the way in which teachers today should also teach, for when knowledge is shared happiness is spread “throughout the city by bringing the citizens into harmony with each other” (519e). Through his teaching tactics, Socrates sets a perfect example for how teachers should interact with their students in order to maintain a balance between forcing knowledge and providing no guidance at
Through this, he shows that teachers should not force ideas upon students but rather lead students to form their own ideas. Socrates says that “no free person should learn anything like a slave” because “nothing taught by force stays in the soul” (536e). So instead of telling his peers the answers to the questions he asks and forcing information on to them, Socrates teaches them through examples. The allegory of the cave described in book VII is used as a concrete way for Socrates to portray his intangible ideas of the visible and intelligible realm (517b). He also uses this allegory to reiterate that “education isn’t what some people declare it to be, namely, putting knowledge into souls that lack it, like putting sight into blind eyes” which is seen when the enlightened prisoner feels obligated to go back and share with his friends what he has learned. Just like this prisoner, Socrates feels obligated to educate his friends in a way by which they will gain a deeper understanding. This is the way in which teachers today should also teach, for when knowledge is shared happiness is spread “throughout the city by bringing the citizens into harmony with each other” (519e). Through his teaching tactics, Socrates sets a perfect example for how teachers should interact with their students in order to maintain a balance between forcing knowledge and providing no guidance at