Megan Hoffman

First Democ Essay

Education: The Foundation for Rebuilding Athens

Athens is home to a rich variety of citizens, from the sailors to the carpenters and the

shoe makers to the merchants. Athens thrives because of the talents its people possess. We can

better assure the success of Athens future by ensuring that the people of Athens improve upon

their talents through appropriate allocation of resources. Appropriate education, education

designed to improve upon existing skills and education targeted to those most apt to succeed,

will ensure the continued growth and success of Athens by utilizing the resources and skills of

the citizenry efficiently.

To earn the right of an education an individual must exhibit the necessary skill sets to

achieve at his or her chosen field. Educating the citizens has a cost. To most efficiently utilize

the resources available, only those exhibiting the requisite skills or aptitude should be afforded

the opportunity to access education. Each individual, upon reaching the age in which a life

choice as to occupation or education must be made, should be assessed to determine the

appropriate career path for him or her and the appropriate means of honing the skills necessary

for the trade or career chosen. Should the person not exhibit the appropriate skills or aptitude,

resources should not be expended as it would be a waste. An individual lacking in the necessary

skills or aptitude for a particular occupation must be steered in another direction. If community

resources are to be used, then those resources must be allocated and used appropriately on

those most apt to achieve in the occupations requiring additional workers.

 Many occupations require a greater number of workers than others. Some occupations

carry greater responsibilities and liabilities. Only those showing the ability to learn should be

chosen to become a student of Socrates. Socrates has been gifted with great intelligence and

intellectual abilities. A system that allows the government to choose who can achieve

education will not ensure that those meriting the advanced education will receive it unless the

government itself was only peopled with those showing the greatest aptitude to lead and those

that have exhibited leadership skills and the ability to put the needs of Athens above their own.

A random selection of leaders will not result in a government with the requisite skills to lead.

Random selection would have shoemakers sometimes making decisions about government.

Ober & Carnes p.28. Those individuals may possess skills necessary for the continued success of

Athens, but not necessarily in the role of governance. Power, through government position,

does not necessarily provide the best means of determining which individuals should receive

the opportunity to learn through Socrates teachings. Socrates, with great intelligence and the

ability to teach, should determine who will be allowed to study with him, as his decisions will be

based upon an analysis of which individuals are most apt to achieve and learn from him. To

improve skills, one must possess the aptitude. Only one who possesses the aptitude himself or

herself can possibly assess the abilities of a student of that trade, or educational endeavor.

Those in favor of democracy are putting Athens at risk by hoping that out of luck and

chance the right people will make the right decisions. They believe that everyone should have a

vote whether they have any knowledge on the subject or not. Democracy is the assumption

that each citizen, despite his individual attainments or lack of them, was of equal political

worth, and thereby worthy of an equal vote Ober & Carnesp.110. In this time of turmoil we
as Socratics and hopefully the rest of Athens will not take that very unlikely chance. We

propose to promote education in the subjects that the citizens strive to partake in to better

Athens as a whole. Based off of that, it is our belief when choosing those to lead each mans

rightful share of social and political goods should be determined by his strength and inherent

excellence. Ober & Carnes p.110. Every persons talents are what will make Athens once again

thrive and survive. Do not mistake us for saying our aptitude for leadership and higher

education makes us any better than that of the sailor, the artisan, or any other citizen of

Athens, just that we are more qualified for leadership just as they are more qualified in their

fields. In fact, Socrates is usually found in the marketplace and other public areas, conversing

with a variety of different people young and old, male and female, slave and free, rich and

poor. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Socrate, Published September 16, 2015. This

examination of all citizens by an intellectual with the ability to assess needs and strengths

results in a fruitful analysis of the skill sets necessary to lead Athens. If all work together and all

do their part and share their talents, then Athens will once again stand tall and invoke fear in

their enemies and pride in all Athenian citizens hearts. I ask that you let us lead you into the

bright future that we envision for all of us here in Athens. Let us do our part, let us use our

talents just as each of you use yours on a daily basis we ask you for the chance to do the same.

We are all members of the Athenian community and we all want to see it honored yet again for

our Goddess Athena. Let us work together, let us all take our strengths to new levels and

Athens will be exalted once again.