How relevant is the Philosophy of Aristotle and Plato on the concept of education?

Question

Some people here in Yahoo Answers think Philosophers are dumb and Philosophy is useless.
Citing for example the the system of education in most parts of the world, if not all, do we see adaptation from Aristotle and Plato's concept in light to this? Obviously I have a positive outlook to this. How about you?
Please explain your answer.

Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

I can't imagine who would view philosophy as useless, much less anything by Aristotle and Plato, but, regardless...

I think their views of education would be interesting, to say the least. Both were proponents of intellectual enlightenment, and neither would say that the aquisition of knowledge is negative.
I did, however, find an interesting quote by Plato, as follows:
"Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind."
One could certainly argue that mandatory education falls under compulsory, and, to his credit, most people don't retain a great deal of what they were taught in public school. I, for one, can't deal with fractions or complete simple algebraic formulas. But I don't think that's the issue, as I did retain almost everything taught to me in English (a subject I was interested in). I think Plato's statement applies more to the education that we give ourselves, and that Aristotle would agree- that to exercise the mind in every way (not just through math and English and science, but through music, art, etc.), is an imperative in life.

Just my 2 cents.

Answer 2

You need but look into the underlying principles they taught, and you will observe that there exists nothing in education that is not heretofore addressed.