Life — October 3, 1907 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The New Plato" - Life Magazine Satire This satirical dialogue titled "The New Plato" critiques modern education by comparing classical Greek philosophy to contemporary schooling. The illustration shows figures in classical dress, mimicking Plato's famous dialogues. The text presents a conversation where Socrates questions what is actually being taught in modern schools. The satire targets the perceived uselessness of education: students learn subjects like architecture and chemistry but cannot practically apply them. The dialogue mocks young men who become "cigarette-smokers and football players" despite formal education. The piece sarcastically suggests that if one truly wants practical knowledge—smoking cigarettes or playing football—formal schooling is unnecessary. The satire implies that modern education fails to provide meaningful, applicable knowledge to students.