The Relation Between Music and Education in Plato's Philosophical System

In Plato’s view the education has a particular status. For him، it is by means of education that our souls can be loaded with virtues and be purified of vices; and then the education makes our souls beautiful and worthy of divine setting. Plato، therefore، deals with everything، including arts and skills، that contributes to educate human beings. On account of the profound influence of music on addressee، he regards music as an efficient means to put into order، refine، and elevate soul. In this educative process، a man is exalted by the strongest spiritual powers، i. e. rhythm and tone، and he comes to the conclusion that it is possible that the man is attained to supreme good in the light of true education. In Plato’s eyes، of course، such education is the prelude to philosophical education and its complement. The aim of the present article is to show that the reason why Plato places a premium on music is that it plays the key role in educating humans، rather than by virtue of its artistic and aesthetic features. Considering this aim، the article proceeds to investigate Plato’s positions on education in Republic and Law.