Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2018, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (4): 88-94+165.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2018.04.009

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Love of Wisdom: A Solution to the Educational Philosophy of Socrates' Love

LIU Tiefang   

  1. Classical Education Research Center, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
  • Online:2018-07-20 Published:2018-07-05

Abstract: Love of wisdom can be described as the soul of Socrates' educational practice. The art of ed-ucation is about how to inspire individual's soul and change their addiction to fortune or fame to love of wis-dom. Closeness to beauty through friendly interaction can lead to love of wisdom. In guiding individual's love, education needs to be based on one's aspirations, goes beyond physical body and towards love of soul. Friendship, as a form of life, motivates individual's rising love. And it is the companionship of friendship that activates young people's potential love for knowledge and wisdom. The onward individual's soul is a process where the individual self lives their days to the fullest. "Know yourself", as Socrates held, involves the meaning of "be the master of your own" and grow to a sound and complete "self".

Key words: Socrates, love of wisdom, love