Educational Implications of Textual Criticism in Plato’s The Seventh Letter

The Seventh Letter, written by Plato in the last years of his life, around the age of 75, records in detail his actions during his visit to Sicily. In particular, in this letter, Plato criticizes text, which are related to true perception. Summarizing Plato’s explanation of the recognition of objects, it can be said that Plato divides knowledge into two dimensions: ‘knowledge’ and ‘principle.’ Books written in writing represent the surface layer of knowledge. Reading the surface layer of this knowledge does not automatically lead to knowing the principles of knowledge. Knowing the depth of knowledge, that is, the principles of knowledge, is true knowledge. Plato stipulates that the condition that enables understanding of the principles of knowledge is dialogue between teacher and student. In order for students to properly understand the depth of knowledge, the help of an insightful teacher who analyzes silent books and asks various questions from the author’s perspective is essential. On the other hand, the danger of pretending to know only superficial content without understanding the principles of knowledge is the separation of knowledge and life. A person with true knowledge relates knowledge not only to writing or words, but also to his specific actions and his entire life. For a student to understand the depth of knowledge through the teacher’s living teachings means internalizing the life attitude assumed by that knowledge.