ENGLISH

Plato, Utilitarianism and Education

By Robin Barrow

Book information

Publisher
Routledge
Year
2010
ISBN
0415562503, 9780415562508, 0203861213, 9780203861219
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
1 MB (1312758 bytes)
Series
International Library of the Philosophy of Education 3
Edition
1
Pages
158\168
Topic
Education
Time added
2011-06-04 13:46:07

Description

Three lines of argument are central to this book: that Plato's views as expounded in the Republic indicate that he was a utilitarian; that utilitarianism is the only acceptable ethical theory; that these conclusions have significant repercussions for education. Throughout the book the exposition of utilitarianism and the interpretation of the Republic are closely linked. The author assesses the nature of recent Platonic criticism and provides a critical summary of the Republic. He expounds and defends utilitarianismn and examines in greater depth the consequences for education of accepting a utilitarian position, showing how, for example, from this standpoint such key terms in educational debate as 'autonomy' and 'self-development' must be reassessed as educational objectives.

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