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Plato was the first and most formidable thinker to recognise that education is a fiercely contested concept, and to point out what great social and personal issues are at stake in education. He articulated a compelling argument for a liberal arts education as something peculiarly befitting free and autonomous beings. He understood the centrality of education for human well-being and flourishing. And he was the first to set forth a systematic theory of education.In this text, Robin Barrow concisely and convincingly establishes the continuing relevance of Plato''s views to debates on such issues as nature vs. nurture (or genetic inheritance vs. social background), philosophy vs. sophistry (or the pursuit of true understanding vs. the pursuit of reputation, or perhaps simply truth vs. politics and the media). Questions concerning the fair distribution of education, moral education, value judgments and human nature are explored along with themes more specifically associated with Plato''s philosophy such as the Theory of Ideas. The whole is embedded in a clearly presented account of the historical background to Plato''s thought.>
About the author
Robin Barrow is Professor of Philosophy of Education at Simon Fraser University, Canada, where he was Dean of Education 1992-2002. He has been Vice-Chair of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain, President of the Philosophy of Education Society of Canada, and President of the North West Philosophy of Education Society of North America. He is listed in the Canadian Who's Who and in 1996 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Robin Barrow is Professor in the Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University BC, Canada.
Richard Bailey is a writer and researcher in education and sport. A former teacher in both primary and secondary schools and a teacher trainer, he has been Professor at a number of leading Universities in the UK. He now lives and works in Germany, where he is Manager of Sport and Health at the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education.
