paideia

Meanings

1. An Athenian system of education designed to give students a broad cultural background focusing on integration into the public life of the city-state with subject matter including gymnastics, grammar, rhetoric, music, mathematics, geography, natural history, and philosophy
2. The epitome of physical and intellectual achievement to which an Ancient Greek citizen could aspire; societal and cultural perfection.
3. An early model of Christian higher learning having theology as its chief subject.
4. A pedagogical system focusing on providing children with a broad and balanced education.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek παιδείᾱ (paideíā, “rearing of a child, education”), from παιδεύω (paideúō, “rear a child”) + -ίᾱ (-íā), from παῖς (paîs, “child”).