AN EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSION: THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PAIDEIA

Abstract

The evolution of the concept of paideia is discussed. Its most evolved from comprises the formation
ideal of giving intellectual and moral values to people that would guarantee their integration in society.
Paideia aims at the formation of men as humans, leading them to discover their humanity, their
physical and spiritual fulfillment. This implies that the Greek anthropological concept demonstrates
that human beings have ontically a technical, the “experienced” man, and an ethic dimension, the
“good” man. Results show that the relationship between paideia, techne and arete established
conditions for men to achieve the formative contents of human fulfillment. Such a contemplation on
the Greek period may enlighten our coping of today´s educational misgivings.