TGT # 3 - Isocrates

The selections in The Great Tradition are from throughout Isocrates' works, which were well known in his own time and translated into many languages in the following centuries. The first selection, from Against the Sophists, centers on the false teachers and philosophers undermining the quality of education. One of his more interesting observations is that many of these teachers claim to know things about the future, yet "Homer, who has been conceded the highest reputation for wisdom, has pictured the gods at times debating among themselves about the future-not that he knew their minds but that he desired to show us that for mankind this power lies in the realms of the impossible" (TGT 40). I am reminded of the many theorists and forecasters who attempt (and at this time of year in particular) to make predictions about the future...

Another thing that struck me was Isocrates' description of political discourse (he was himself an orator) as a creative process, requiring skill and imagination:
"But I marvel when I observe these men setting themselves up as instructors of youth who cannot see that they are applying the analogy of an art with hard and fast rules to a creative process. For, excepting these teachers, who does not know that the art of using letters remains fixed and unchanged, so that we continually and invariably use the same letters for the same purposes, while exactly the reverse is true of the art of discourse? For what has been said by one speaker is not equally useful for the speaker who comes after him; on the contrary, he is accounted most skilled in this art who speaks in a manner worthy of his subject and yet is able to discover in it topics which are nowise the same as those used by others [...] oratory is good only if it has the qualities of fitness for the occasion, propriety of style, and originality of treatment, while in the case of letters there is no such need whatsoever" (TGT 42).  Isocrates tells us that experience is a perfectly good teacher, that having an aptitude and then working hard to understand one's subject will yield the best results. Ultimately, this kind of study will result in "honesty of character" even if it doesn't produce great orators. I think the same basic principle could be applied to pretty much any area of study. In the next section, Isocrates seems to agree with me.

The selection from the Panathenaicus begins with mild praise for the "education which was handed down from our ancestors" as well as the newer study of geometry, astronomy, and a particular kind of argumentative dialogue that young men seem to enjoy. Isocrates basically says well, at least they're not running in the road. Yet, he does not see these branches of study leading their practitioners to virtuous, balanced lives. Rather than measuring education or cultivation by excellence in a particular science, even oratory, Isocrates suggests that those who exercise good judgment in their daily affairs, who are decent, honorable, moderate, brave in the face of misfortune, and humble in the wake of success are the "wise and complete men" (TGT 44).

We proceed into a selection from the Antidosis, longer than the others, begins with a discussion of physical and mental training. Teachers in both areas can make men better, but "neither class of teachers is in possession of a science by which they can make capable athletes or capable orators out of whomsoever they please" (TGT 45-6).  Isocrates seems to see some men as irredeemably petty and corrupted, but even these can be in some measure improved if they would be willing to follow his basic model of education:

1 - natural aptitude
2 - submission to training and mastery of subject
3 - use/application of knowledge

He goes into some detail about the relationship between natural ability and practice - those who are neglectful of their talents will not do as well as even the less naturally gifted who work harder. Yep.

Isocrates offers a defense of himself as a teacher of youth (not a corrupter of youth) essentially accusing naysayers of hypocrisy.  This goes on for quite some time. Isocrates was a very clever man.



Well, that's it for now. Up next is Aristotle, and after that is Cicero, so we will be in good company for the next few months :o)