《普羅塔戈拉》記敘了年輕的蘇格拉底初始登上公共教育舞臺,通過挑戰普羅塔戈拉從而宣稱一種新的教育方案的故事。澄清普羅塔戈拉與蘇格拉底的教育之爭,可以進一步探究蘇格拉底教育理念的背景與發端。普羅塔戈拉對德性教育進行世俗化的改造,他用"技藝知識"取代了內在的德性,用修辭術和法律取代了統治的智慧和正義。蘇格拉底試圖重建人們對內在德性的追求,他的教育建立在"整全知識"和"美德即知識"的假設上,他一方面為公民塑造了有利于"節制"的"知識神話",另一方面鼓勵智慧者"勇敢"地熱愛智慧、追求智慧。由此,蘇格拉底的哲學教育是通過"整全知識"統合"節制"與"勇敢"的教育,他提醒人是追求美好的動物,但人必須節制而勇敢地忍受著追求美好過程中注定的艱難與失敗。

In Plato’s Protagoras,the young Socrates enters the arena of debate on public education and proposes a new educational philosophy by debating with Protagoras.An investigation of the educational dispute between Protagoras and Socrates would bring to light new perspectives on the background and origin of Socratic educational philosophy.Protagoras conducts a secular transformation of moral education.He replaces inner virtue with "technical knowledge,"wisdom and justice with rhetoric and law.Conversely,Socrates tries to restore the pursuit of inner virtue.His educational philosophy argues for comprehensive knowledge and that"virtue is knowledge."While,on the one hand,Socrates creates"myth of knowledge"that is conducive to moderation,he encourages people to love and pursue wisdom on the other hand.Thus,Socratic educational philosophy is underpinned by the assumption of comprehensive knowledge that integrates moderation and courage.He reminds people to pursue good things,though people must be able to remain moderate and courageously endure hardships and failures that are destined in the pursuit of good things.