Likening the guardians to philosophical "noble puppies," philosophically educating the guardians by sheltering them, attacking the use of poetry, and telling the guardians that their education and childhood was a dream (414d) are all so implausible that they strike a cord suggesting that the opposite is true. The answer, Plato believed, was to rely upon the value of a good education. The Guardian must have a healthy body and maintain perfect physical condition. Physical training is an important aspect because an educated Guardian would be of no use if he were unable to protect and serve. The Guardian must also maintain sobriety so the he will not need a Guardian himself. Since the philosopher-kings are still to be warriors, their education must still be useful for warlike men. Socrates says that those fit for a guardian's education must by nature be "philosophic, spirited, swift, and strong" (376 c). In other words, through learning real virtue, Glaucon will find a satisfaction similar (although not identical) to that of the eros that he so craves. The omission of wisdom, along with the implication that the guardians should accept blindly whatever they are told and to be wholly molded by the tales, suggest again that guardians are not intended to be wise and philosophical. Plato felt that most tales were unsatisfactory because of their content and must be supervised. (Remember, he operated his own school at Athens!) As soon as Socrates allows fineries, however, the city quickly becomes rife with potential trouble. Good tales must also foster courage, moderation, and justice. Now that Glaucon eagerly wants to know everything about the good, Socrates tries to explain the divided line (510-511). Latest education news, comment and analysis on schools, colleges, universities, further and higher education and teaching from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice Plato strongly held that in order to achieve this, then literature must be censored. The study of complex, elusive concepts pushes one to study what is permanent and perfect. Stories of heroes that are loathsome, misleading, and lack self-control must be discarded. Because a solely gymnastic education causes savagery and a purely musical education causes softness, the two must be balanced. Plato feels that certain aspects of theology would have to be censored such as heaven being responsible for everything, both good and evil. What is this subject? By the conclusion of Book IX, Socrates has moved effectively from the image of justice in a city to the image of justice in private, philosophical men. I… Plato view of education is for the good of the individual and for the safety of the state. One of Socrates’ final commandments regarding the living arrangements of the guardian class is that children, born from the couplings held during the festivals, shall be considered children of the entire community, with no children knowing the identity of their parents, and vice-versa (Plato 92). Socrates claims, "A young thing can't judge what is hidden sense and what is not; but what he takes into his opinions at that age has a tendency to become hard to eradicate and unchangeable" (378d). Socrates' style of questioning/answering and refuting arguments also gains meaning after his discussion of the philosopher's return to the cave and dialectics. This religion believes in apparitions and symbols. Moreover, Socratic education is not just meant to educate civic rulers--it is meant to educate men to be excellent rulers of themselves. Furthermore, he exploits the power of playful images and poetry to convey his ideas. Plato regards education as a means to achieve justice, both individual justice and social justice. Socrates says of calculation, "It leads the soul powerfully upward and compels it to discuss numbers themselves" (525d). The good is beyond perceived reality and is hard to see, but once the good is understood, it is clear that it "is the cause of all that is right and fair in everything," and must be possessed and understood by prudent rulers (517c). Get an answer for 'Describe the education of the guardians as it is presented in books 2 and 3 of Plato's Republic.' He moves from the sun image to that of the divided line, and then develops the analogy of the cave to represent the nature of education. Although Socrates found it necessary to drag Glaucon out of the cave and into the light using images, Socrates still prefers that his students do not simply accept the truth, but come to it on their own. When he can distinguish ugliness he will be able to ignore it and be able to maintain his divine nature. Finally, at the age of fifty, those who have excelled in everything will perceive the good and will alternate philosophizing and ruling the city. Instead of using irony, Socrates uses images to teach the interlocutors. This may not be good for the Guardians because they may take on some negative characteristics. Education in music and gymnastics will be compulsory for youths, and their progress and adaptability will be watched and tested throughout their development. In Plato’s theory of the guardian class the state may end up serving the guardians and education may become the primary goal, instead of the well being of the population. Rhythm and harmony touch the soul directly, so if children are surrounded by tales of goodness and never exposed to bad tales, like "noble puppies" they will learn to love what they know (goodness and justice) and hate what they do not know (injustice) (401d-e).