Abstract
The thesis under the title "The Educational ideas of Isocrate and his role in Ancient Greece" is an attempt at clarifying the place of Isocrates in the history of education in Greece from the standpoint of social history. In this thesis, first of all, Greek society is regarded as a pattern based on the Polis, each an autonomous and closed social group, and all with mutually hostile activities. Second, we consider the Polis itself as a cooperative body for defense, supported by people who possessed small lands and a few slaves. In this respect, the Polis is thought of as a society based on the relationship between classes (citizens and slaves), in other words, in one aspect a slavery society, in another aspect a society full of democratic atmosphere among the citizens, constructed by them from the point of view of equality. Accordingly we can see the consciousness of discrimination against the people who do not belong to the Polis or an attitude inimical to the slaves rising to become members of the group of citizens, the constituent members of the Polis. While, at the same time we note a remarkable tendency among the citizens to seek the strengthening of the bonds of union. One of the note worthy phenomena is the national control over the education of the citizens, regarding the Polis as a community of a group of people with the same ancestors. Considering education conducted under the abovementioned tendencies as typical in the Polis, it is easy to understand how educational thoughts advocated by Isocrates influenced society in Greece ; he expounded the ideal of Panhellenism, attached more importance to culture than to blood relationship, urged an education based on Reason as necessary for mutual under- standing. Besides, he stressed the necessity of private education, insisting that the guarantee of the opportunity of education depended much more on property than upon citizenship. We should conclude our discussion of the influence of Isocrates upon society in Greece by calling attention as well to his conservative tendencies as seen; in his limited place for peace-loving ideas, and in the stress he puts on the value of supervision of the life of the citizens through a revival of the Areopagus, the ancient court of judges.
