The Greeks Were Right

I was in my first year of doctoral studies when I enrolled in a pedagogy course. The main goal of this course was for us, students, to acquire a basic foundation of knowledge and to develop the teaching and pedagogical skills necessary to become effective educators - imagining that all of us would achieve this goal one day.

Our professor, Mrs. PC, delved into various topics of pedagogy, presenting to us the history of pedagogy, its main philosophers and lines of thought such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Lev Vygotsky and Paulo Freire, and proposing a very proactive classroom experience. For anyone who has previously studied pedagogy, the content might seem basic or even boring, but for me, who had spent more than eight years just studying STEM subjects - math, physics and (electrical) engineering - this subject was enlightening to say the least. Every class was a new opportunity to learn, to better understand how to prepare myself for a career in academia, and to reflect on how educators can positively influence the lives of students.

Of all the topics presented in class, the one that captured my attention the most was the Greek philosophical concept of Paideia, an educational ideal intended to shape the model citizen of a society. Paideia was meant to instill aristocratic virtues in the young citizen men who were trained in this way. An ideal individual within the polis would be well-rounded, refined in intellect, morals, and physicality, so training of the body, mind, and soul was important. Both practical, subject-based schooling as well as a focus upon the socialization of individuals within the aristocratic order of the polis were a part of this training (text obtained from wikipedia).

The starting point for this principle was the understanding of our biological condition, our body, and how to maximize its potential for the holistic development of the human being. In order to excel and achieve their full potential, the members of Greek society should be very well educated in three basic areas of the Greek Paideia: gymnastics, writing and music. But why these areas?

By training their body, not only would the individual develop a good physique, but would also become a warrior and be prepared to defend their society whenever necessary - it’s important to remember that in the past, wars were fought between battalions of people, without firearms. One notable example of a Greek polis that excelled through military training was Sparta, renowned for its discipline, military strength, and highly effective army.

By learning the art of writing, any educated individual would be able to drink from the fountain of wisdom - they understood that writing had become an essential means of preserving and transmitting knowledge. Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are among the most influential literary works produced in ancient Greece. Education through writing was initially resisted by some thinkers, including Plato, who feared that an excessive reliance on written records would weaken memory and diminish the oral traditions through which knowledge had long been preserved. It did not take long for writing to establish its place in society, first by recording war and conquests and later by preserving collective memory.

The third pillar of Paideia was music education. It was not limited to teaching how words, harmony, and rhythm could be combined into artistic compositions. Music education was mainly associated with the art of oratory. Individuals should learn how to use words as an instrument of their political life, to be able to convince, persuade and gain power in order to defend their political interests - aligned with the political interests of the society. The importance of this education was consolidated in philosophy’s rational thinking. Those who would excel in this education would achieve a highly developed intellectual formation, and in the case of mastering the art of oratory, also become statesmen.

Well, and how would someone be educated in all areas? At that time, education really was a privilege for the few. Education was understood as a transformative process that began from within. In the education of the citizen, the goal is the development of one’s own culture (Paideia), not professional practice. Thus, education should be the responsibility of the State rather than that of the individual or the family unit, since all citizens belong to the city (Polis); no one belongs to themselves.

The philosophy of Paideia truly paved the way for many transformations, and to this day it remains important. It is no surprise that many parents continue to invest heavily in their children’s development from an early age, enrolling them in good schools - with the best teachers, environment, and growth culture -, encouraging participation in different physical activities - to understand in which sport/activity the child enjoys and excels at (team sport, individual activity, martial arts, etc) -, and also nurturing their creative potential with arts, music and much more. All of this taking place alongside the experience of social interaction within the school setting.

At some point, one individual may feel instigated to try doing another physical activity, school social environment, or creative activity, regardless of whether or not one feels an aptitude for it. The individual may also fail to perform well in any of these activities. That’s perfectly acceptable. As a kid growing up, my parents encouraged me to try everything I could. I gravitated naturally toward physical activities, and struggled whenever I had to spend long periods studying - especially if it was reading/writing. As for artistic pursuits, my creative development probably stopped somewhere around kindergarten. But all of this is to say that my parents, perhaps without realizing it, were trying to provide me with a modern version of Paideia. They encouraged me to explore different forms of development, allowing me to discover my strengths, confront my weaknesses, and grow as an individual.

Looking back, what impressed me most was not the historical details of Paideia, but the realization that education has always aimed at something greater than professional training. The Greeks understood that forming a complete individual required the cultivation of body, intellect, and character. Although modern society is very different from the ancient polis, that ideal remains surprisingly relevant.

As an engineering student, I had spent years focusing almost exclusively on technical knowledge. The concept of Paideia challenged this perspective by reminding me that education is not merely the accumulation of specialized knowledge, but the cultivation of a complete human being. More importantly, it reinforced my belief that the role of an educator extends far beyond transmitting technical knowledge. As a future professor, I hope to contribute not only to my students’ professional development, but also to their growth as individuals.