Paideia as Cultivation of the Potentiality of the Human Being Aiming at Fullness of Humanity. Introduction to the Classic Philosophy of Education

Thomistic pedagogy (classical, realistic) has received numerous studies in recent years and as such is a serious alternative to many branches of the contemporary philosophy of education. Its attractiveness results from the realism of being and cognitive realism as well as a negative attitude to various ideologys and utopias, including those in the field of education. It places education and training on strong anthropological and moral foundations, indicating that education is the cultivation of humanity’s potentiality. In a classic paideia, a man is lifted “up”, directed to perfection. This way, the “culture” of use, consumption, utilitarianism, hedonism, ignorance is distanced and as Plato once well stated “it is not worth living a thoughtless life for a man” (Plato, Socrates Defense, 38a).

Thomistic pedagogy (classical, realistic) has received numerous studies in recent years and as such is a serious alternative to many branches of the contemporary philosophy of education. Its attractiveness results from the realism of being and cognitive realism as well as a negative attitude to various ideologys and utopias, including those in the field of education. It places education and training on strong anthropological and moral foundations, indicating that education is the cultivation of humanity’s potentiality. In a classic paideia, a man is lifted “up”, directed to perfection. This way, the “culture” of use, consumption, utilitarianism, hedonism, ignorance is distanced and as Plato once well stated “it is not worth living a thoughtless life for a man” (Plato, Socrates Defense, 38a).