Paideia, Humanitas, Civility and Education

By Alexandra O. Hudson, author of the bestselling book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves and founder of the Civic Renaissance newsletter community

We live in uncivil times. Yet if we look back to the history of civility and education, we find valuable guidance for the challenges of our day.

Civility is the art of human flourishing. It is not merely a set of manners, but a disposition of the heart—one that recognizes the inherent dignity and moral equality of all people. Civility is the baseline of respect owed to others by virtue of our shared humanity. This respect is grounded in Imago Dei, the Judeo-Christian belief that human beings are created in the image of God.

The word “civility” is derived from the Latin civitas, which also gives us city, civilization, and citizen. This etymology tells a story: Civility is the set of behaviors, customs, and values that define a responsible citizen within the “city.”

In his 1828 dictionary, Noah Webster defined education as the process of raising a child by developing their morals and manners. Education is the very means by which we cultivate civility—the deep-seated love and respect we owe to our fellow human beings. It shapes individuals who not only think of others alongside themselves but who are equipped to participate in the life of a republic.

Civility and education are two sides of the same coin in the humanistic project. They help us become fully human by preparing us for life together. They teach us to appreciate the profound gift of being human—in ourselves and others.

The connection between civility and education has been recognized across history and cultures. The ancient Greeks understood education as paideia, an all-encompassing approach to teaching religion, politics, history, and literature aimed at shaping the character of a Greek citizen for participation in civic life. This concept of paideia found expression in ancient Roman culture through the idea of humanitas, which transcended education and culture to include benevolence and love for humanity.

Both the Greeks and Romans understood education as the process of developing our humanity to its fullest, nurturing empathy for others. Our selfish instincts often obscure our care for others, so this virtue required intentional cultivation.

In the 15th century, humanists of the European Renaissance revived the principles of paideia and humanitas and gave it their own word: civility. They understood that the true purpose of education was to cultivate this disposition of civility, which encompasses a general love for our fellow human beings. For Renaissance philosopher and scientist Francesco Patrizi, education was about training both the mind and the heart to show kindness to all people—even those who are different from us or cannot offer anything in return.

Ronald Reagan exemplified this “general affection” for others, even those with whom he disagreed, thereby embodying the aim of both civility and education. Reagan's embodiment of true civility extended even to his relationship with Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of the Soviet Union. President Reagan’s civility not only “thawed” the Cold War but paved the way for democracy’s triumph over communism.

This legacy is why the Ronald Reagan Civil Discourse Project, which seeks to teach the next generation the skills of civil discourse, is so aptly named. Today, parents and educators alike are realizing that the cultivation of civility is more urgent than ever. I am proud to support this important initiative because the future of democracy depends on the next generation embracing the virtues of civility and education—recognizing the dignity of others, showing kindness to all people, and preparing to participate in the shared life of a republic.

Throughout history, civility and education have contributed to civic renewal, multidimensional human flourishing, and the preservation of freedom. The wisdom of the past, along with the example set by figures like Ronald Reagan, can help illuminate the path toward a more humane future.