As I am working my way through my PhD thesis I constantly run into profitable but extremely distracting side topics. These are topics that I would love to follow but, in my need to stay focused, I have to put on my blinders and make somewhat of an attempt to stay on topic.
Today I didn’t do so well at avoiding distraction and hopped down a bunny trail while reading through Philo of Alexandria’s De posteritate Caini (The Posterity of Cain). I figured that I would turn this time of study and translation into a blog for you, our faithful readers, to enjoy.
The topic of what makes a good teacher is nothing new to the blogisphermultiverse. But, since you can never have too many 1st century Jewish authors to back up your own philosophical leanings, we might as well bring Philo into the ongoing conversation. Not so surprisingly, Philo thinks that teachers have a responsibility to their students. In fact, if they ignore this responsibility they are due for some harsh criticism!
Philo says: “Idiots! This is an apt description of those teachers who don’t pay attention to the capacity of their students. They worry about their own surpassing intellectual maturity and are not even aware of the vast difference between teaching a lesson and showing themselves off.” (141)
He then continues with a further description of the idiot “teacher” by saying:
“The teacher who is just showing off revels in the euphoria of his own maturity, not caring about how much time he spends at home making himself look good. Like artists and sculptors, he is trying to gain the adoration of the public.” (141)
Clearly, the type of individual that Philo sarcastically describes doesn’t have the best interest of their students in mind. This so-called “teacher” is only out to make himself/herself look good, even practicing the manner in which they speak and move at home in front of the mirror in order to be as polished and slick as possible. The sad thing is that this “teacher” doesn’t engage in preparation for the benefit of the students who will receive the lesson but in order to establish a fan base for his ongoing reputation.
But what does a good teacher look like? Philo answers this question with the following statement:
“But the person who aims to teach, is like a good doctor, a doctor who does not get lost in the enormity of the field of medial sciences but focuses on the healing his patient. He is not concerned with the innumerable possibilities he can think of (this would be too extensive) but acts moderately and only offers a treatment that the patient needs.” (114)
No one wants to sit in the examining room with a doctor that is just there to show off how much medical knowledge they can spout. We want someone, especially when we are sick, who will listen to our concerns, note our symptoms, and provide a treatment that leads to better health. According to Philo, these are the same qualities that make up a good teacher. One who knows his/her students and actually desires for them to learn in order that they can better themselves.
So, what do you think makes a good teacher? Is Philo right? Comment below and let me know if you have experienced either of these types of teachers Philo tells us about.
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