PHILOS 1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3-4: Tabula Rasa, Noble Lie
Document Summary
Education of guardians: must supervise storytellers (select stories to tell) Stories shape children"s souls: criticized/censored much of homer"s works. Lying, deception, war, infidelity, etc: significance of stories. The young mind and soul is the most malleable. Seems to believe mind is a blank slate. The young can"t distinguish from what is allegorical to what is not. Opinions they absorb at a young age is hard to erase or change. Poetry/music permeates the innermost part of the soul, influencing it. Education will nurture the guardians" philosophical/soft side while physical training will nurture their tough/spirited side: content of stories. Gods must always be represented as they are. Gods are only causes of good things. Gods cannot change and do not lie. Courage and self-control should be represented in stories. Forbid portrayal of vicious, unrestrained, slavish, and graceless characters. Any characteristics besides those the guardians should copy are excluded. Fundamental reconstruction of curriculum of which greeks were brought up: style of stories.
