Plato Utilitarianism and Education (International Library of the Philosophy of Education Volume 3)

<p>Three lines of argument are central to this book: that Plato's views as expounded in the <em>Republic</em> 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 <em>Republic </em>are closely linked. The author assesses the nature of recent Platonic criticism and provides a critical summary of the <em>Republic</em>. 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. </p>