"Isocrates rejected Plato's view of philosophy as the search for absolute truth, seeing it as more properly the study of how to address immediate practical problems. Rhetoric, then, in Isocrates' opinion, was a powerful tool for investigating such problems-where only probably, not certain, knowledge was available-and for moving people to action for the common good" (B&H 67). To me this translates into something like 'the truth is relative' and on this point I can agree with Isocrates. Truth is somewhat situational. Consider the statement 'It is sunny and warm today'. This is true, at this moment, in California. This is not true, at this moment, in many other parts of the country. It is statement of fact representing a truth. Pardon my elementary example, but I think that is why I found Gorgias so frustrating. It was difficult to always understand what facts were in dispute. The delivery seemed to be most important.
Regarding being perceived as the father of education, I think Isocrates describes organized learning quite eloquently when defending the study of math and science, "For while we are occupied with the subtlety and exactness of astronomy and geometry and are forced to apply our minds to difficult problems, and are, in addition, being habituated to speak and apply ourselves to what is said and shown to us, and not to let our wits go wool-gathering, we gain the power, after being exercised and sharpened on these disciplines, of grasping and learning more easily and more quickly those subjects which are of more importance and of greater value" (B&H 76). I interpret this to mean that learning, for the sake of learning, helps to exercise and train our minds to be able to learn more.
As an extension of Isocrates philosophy, I would add that in a world where there is a seemingly constant evolution of ideas and truths, it has become increasingly important to be able to contextualize and situate learned knowledge within practical applications of that knowledge. That is the new challenge of education.
I like the B&H quote that you begin with here. Yes, truth is relative. Truth is situational. Truth is probably, according to the sophists. This clearly differs from Plato's view. Ultimately, Isocrates felt life was short--make a difference now in meaningful ways. Nice thinking about relating this to the challenge of education--there there is a " 'scape" here (Appadarai).
ReplyDeleteTruth is somewhat situational, oui. But that doesn't mean that "facts" and theoretical absolutes don't function as necessary for modern science, does it?
ReplyDeleteWhat have you thought of others' blog posts on Isocrates?
ReplyDeleteI found David's post to align well with my thoughts on Isocrates. Particularly his statement of the 'humanistic' style associated with Isocrates method of teaching. David also describes the contextuality of the method because of Isocrates challenge to keep instruction civic minded as well.
ReplyDelete"Truth" is relative--I agree with this. In my class today, we discussed the Senior Tower Collapse in Houston back in 1982, where 5 men lost their lives while trying to install the very last 100 feet of a 190 foot tower. The U-shaped bolts snapped--much like the "O" rings in the Challenger tragedy. The "truth" is that the bolts could withstand X amount of pressure. But the "whole" truth was not known at the time, because those who were seeking the truth about the amount of pressure that the U-bolts could sustain failed to provide all the information because they did not know that what they ALSO needed to reveal was...(I think you get my point).
ReplyDeleteThat is a great example Zretta. Unfortunate of course in it's ending, but demonstrative of the varying degrees of 'truth' as well as 'knowledge'.
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