Education is an ever-evolving system, drawing on past successes to help educate future generations. With so many different points of view and influences contributing to modern educational standards, it can be easy to lose sight of where education should go and what it should achieve. Pairing ancient philosophies with modern visions and perspectives can help advance education beyond relying only on past success. Education benefits more than the individual, it contributes to the structure of society, with this in mind we begin to see how important a quality education is. The goals of education appear to be simple on the surface: educate the individual so that he or she can contribute value. to the company. But this can be taken even further by examining the type of society to which we wish the individual to contribute. The ancient Greeks saw the need for an educated individual to contribute to an educated society, a society of philosophers, scientists, educators, thinkers, and doers. This is similar to the society that most of us want to see as the result of educated individuals. “Formal education, in turn, was intended to provide the knowledge needed to meet society's expectations of its citizens” (69). A society where education is celebrated and seen for the value it represents, where higher education is seen as more valuable than whoever has the biggest stick for senseless violence and subjugation. It is true that this idea derives from Plato's ideal society, but it is more achievable than it would seem, society begins and ends with the individual and his contribution (70). An educated individual holds great power, the power to rationalize, create, contribute, and defend (70). When it comes to creating an ideal society that celebrates... middle of paper... their education. In conclusion, the modern education system is built on many different social visions, goals and historical contributions. Each contribution to the modern education system helps define what it means to have a truly valuable education and how it plays a vital role in our society. As we look to the past to help guide us, we must continue to understand the importance of celebrating the present and moving forward into the future. By having a comprehensive education system and understanding what we aim to achieve, we are better able to achieve the goal of a well-rounded individual who will contribute positively to a society that values ​​education and learning. Works Cited Ornstein, Allan C., Daniel U .Levine, and Gerald Lee. Gutek. Foundations of education. 11th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011.