Isocrates

THESIS: Education is not intended for profit, but for service to those who are in need of

learning.

STRUCTURE OF ARGUMENT:

I. Description of the Sophist Philosophy of Education

A. Education is provided to those who have the ability to pay for this service.

a. The idea of profit in exchange for education is based on the

following principles:

i. Those who are unable to pay are not provided

with education.

ii. Services must be paid for before education

begins.

B. Educating students is a way of gaining personal prestige and stature in

society.

a. Sophists used their teaching methods as a way of gaining power and

acknowledgment in the community in the following ways:

i. Students were taught the techniques of oratory as a

way of portraying the Sophist teachers as being

important and all-knowing.

ii. Sophists taught misleading information and

principles to their students in order for self-gain.

II. Isocrates' View of the Sophist Philosophy of Teaching

A. Sophists provide a weakened version of education.

a. Sophists paid little attention to the factual content of their lessons.

b. Sophists were often lacking in the proper skills and abilities required to provide a quality education.

B. Sophists had little confidence in the level of their educational services.

a. They required payment before services.

b.

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