Teacher and student in ancient pedagogy: the dialectic of love and death

Introduction. This article aims to compare two seemingly different patterns of attitude towards such a significant figure as a teacher. Considering it was the Greeks who have established the entire prototype for such a relationship in our culture it seems interesting to look at the development and meaning of such a relationship within their context.

Materials and Methods. Based on the texts from The Library of Greek Mythology by Apollodorus and other sources that draw attention to some aspects of upbringing described already in the ancient myths, as well as on the basis of Plato's dialogues dedicated to the character of Socrates, this study compares two lines of such relationship, one derived from the story of the mythological hero Heracles and his relationship with his teachers, and that of the teacher of all Athens – Socrates and his students. This study is based on such methods as comparison, juxtaposition, interpretation, and generalization, as well as the psychoanalytic approach developed by Z. Freud and J. Lacan.

Results. Acknowledging certain parallels in how the relationships mentioned earlier end, this study draws attention to the fact that a person must take the path of self-transformation with a considerable degree of necessity to learn something new. A noteworthy aspect in this process is the role of what is commonly referred to as “love”.

Discussion and Conclusions. The figure of Socrates is central to this study in two ways. He is interesting to us not only as a philosopher who is in love with wisdom and discussion but also as one who educates, with all the dynamics of relationships that follow. As the author of the dialogues about Socrates, Plato reveals his views on love deriving from his grief about the loss of his teacher. His reflections represent the work of sorrow, and the dialogues that immortalize him in history seem to be its natural fruits.

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