Erasmus Quote by Michel Foucault
““No seventeenth-century pedagogue would have publicly advised his disciple, as did Erasmus in his Dialogues, on the choice of a good prostitute.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The History of Sexuality, 1976
Erasmus humorously suggested a good prostitute as a pedagogical example, challenging moral norms.
In simple terms: Erasmus used a prostitute to teach a lesson.
Key Takeaway
Question conventional moral teaching methods.
Themes
philosophy
sexuality
education
Mood
provocative
intellectual
Type
critical
historical
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- ethics debates
- curriculum design
Key Concepts
Subversion
pedagogy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about 16th‑century pedagogy?
- How would you teach controversial topics today?
A Different Perspective
Such examples can be controversial and misinterpreted.
![“I understood that you would take the Human Race in the concrete, have exploded the absurd notion of Pope's Essay on Man, [Erasmus] Darwin, and all the countless Believers-even (strange to say) among Xtians-of Man's having progressed from an Ouran Outang state-so contrary to all History, to all…” quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d9/samuel-taylor-coleridge-425_absurd_i-understood-that-you-would-take-the-hum_1607354.jpg)
![“It was expected, however, that [Erasmus] should make some reply and give some definition. But instead, by availing himself of a rhetorical transition, he drags us who knew nothing of rhetoric away with him, as if the matter at issue here were of no moment, but simply a lot of quibbling, and dashes…” quote by Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/054/martin-luther-106_erasmus_it-was-expected-however-that-erasmus-sho_455257.jpg)
