Revisiting the cave

Heidegger's reinterpretation of Plato's allegory with reference to music education

Christopher Naughton

pp. 201-212

in: Frederik Pio, Øivind Varkøy (eds), Philosophy of music education challenged: Heideggerian inspirations, Berlin, Springer, 2015

Abstract

Heidegger's essay On Plato's Teaching of Truth (1942), although a treatise in itself on education, can be a helpful text for music teachers wishing to challenge their own understanding of knowledge and what and how they teach. Through this insight into Plato's thinking, with Heidegger's qualifications and commentary, some fundamental concerns regarding the interpretation of truth/knowledge currently adopted in music education can be reexamined. If like Heidegger, we look again at the implications of this misreading, according to Heidegger, the neo-liberal curriculum has effectively adopted an error. With increasing pressure on universities to find new models of teaching, Heidegger through this essay confronts the educator with a set of ideas that ask of the music educator to re-configure the very concept of education and to re-align practice to adequately reflect the human condition.

Cited authors

Heidegger Martin

Plato