The Sophists' Education and Social Evolution - A Case for Social Studies Education in Nigeria

Abstract

Athens experienced its most glorious moment under the leadership of Pericles who led the Greek city state from its former Aristocratic political arrangement to democratic government. This development created a cultural vacuum because older Aristocratic education did not prepare and equip the Athenian citizens for life and its challenges in the new democratic Athens. The arrival of the sophists at this point in time in the history of Athens and the type of education they introduced filled this cultural vacuum and made them relevant in the current evolution stage of the Athenian culture. It is in this direction that it is argued that the introduction of Social Studies Education at all levels of education in Nigeria would help to fill the inherent vacuum created by Nigeria’s return to democratic government after many years of military dictatorship.

Keywords: Sophists, Social Evolution, Education, Democracy

JEL Classification: Z38