Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture, Volume II: In Search of the Divine Center

Paideia #2

by Werner Wilhelm Jaeger, Gilbert Highet (Translator)

The project of Greek culture in its heroic period was the creation of the perfect state-a goal that seemed within reach in the Athens of the fifth century B.C. But with the fall of Athens that prospect evaporated, and the result, which Werner Jaeger describes in this second volume of his magisterial three-volume study of Hellenism, was the spiritualizing of Greek culture-'the search for the divine centre.' Jaeger traces the growth of this new power in human culture from its early beginnings in the teachings of Socrates, to its natural climax in Plato's Republic.

Genres: Philosophy, Education, History, Greece, Classics, Classical Studies

464 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1943

About the author

Jaeger attended school at Lobberich and at the Gymnasium Thomaeum in Kempen Jaeger studied at the University of Marburg and University of Berlin. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Berlin in 1911 for a dissertation on the Metaphysics of Aristotle. His habilitation was on Nemesios of Emesa (1914). Only 26 years old, Jaeger was called to a professorship with chair at the University of Basel in Switzerland. One year later he moved to a similar position at Kiel, and in 1921 he returned to Berlin. Jaeger remained in Berlin until 1936, when he emigrated to the United States because he was unhappy with Adolf Hitler's regime. Jaeger expressed his veiled disapproval with Humanistische Reden und Vortraege (1937) and his book on Demosthenes (1938) based on his Sather lecture from 1934. Jaeger's messages were fully understood in German university circles; the ardent Nazi followers sharply attacked Jaeger.
In the United States, Jaeger worked as a full professor at the University of Chicago from 1936 to 1939, at which time he moved to Harvard University to continue his edition of the Church father Gregory of Nyssa on which he started before World War I. Jaeger remained in Cambridge, Massachusetts, until his death. The Canadian philosopher James Doull was among his students at Harvard.
Jaeger wrote two dissertations, one in Latin and one in German, on Aristotle's Metaphysics. Jaeger's edition of the Metaphysics was printed in 1957. Only two years after editing Gregory of Nyssa's Contra Eunomium (1921), Jaeger became famous with his groundbreaking study on Aristotle in 1923 which largely remained undisputed until the 1960s.
Jaeger founded two journals: Die Antike (1925–1944) and the influential review journal Gnomon (since 1925).
Jaeger was the editor of the church father Gregory of Nyssa, Gregorii Nysseni Opera, editing Gregory's major work Contra Eunomium (1921, 1960). This edition is a major scholarly achievement and the philological foundation of the current studies on the Cappadocian Fathers.
Jaeger is perhaps best known for his multivolume work "Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture", an extensive consideration of both the earliest practices and later philosophical reflections on the cultural nature of education in Ancient Greece, which he hoped would restore a decadent early 20th century Europe to the values of its Hellenic origins.
Jaeger's last lecture, Early Christianity and Greek Paideia (1961) is a very impressive summary of his life's work covering Greek philology, philosophy and theology from Homer, the Presocratic philosophers, Plato to the Church Fathers, roughly a thousand years.
Source

Reviews

[Richard Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the great books of the 20th century. Along with Edith Hamiliton this is THE book to have as a companion to classical Greek literature. I have re-read this book straight through three times and have re-read certain chapters many more times

[Seward Park Branch Library, NYPL · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Volume 2 of Jaeger's Paideia we leave the lyric poets and writers whose contemporary reputations were largely based on fragments and conjecture, and delve into the vast storehouse of Plato's philosophy, which reimagined the Greek virtue, resulting in a vision which would endure in some form or another for centuries to come. In Plato we have an inversion of virtues, namely justice—shifting from the cosmic fatalist's justice of Aeschylus to the justice of the subject as they appeal to The Good, or The Ideas. Throughout our reading of Plato, we must remind ourselves that to the Greeks individuality didn't make sense as a sovereignty (for the Greeks there is no 'Ego'), but a self which can only be actualized through the community, the Polis—a self that only makes sense in relation to others.

Plato sees 'human nature' as something complicated. Human beings aren't integrally *anything*, but find themselves and cultivate attitudes through stories and habits which appeal to conflicting natures. Hence, the emphasis that Plato puts on the dangers of Poetry. We must remember that during the period in Greece which Jaeger discusses, Poetry and the arts was synonymous with 'education', 'Paideia'. To the sophist (to take one example), education was being able to recite Homer and other members of the Greek poetic cannon. For Plato, an education was being able to not take Homer for granted simply based on a passive acceptance of 'tradition', but understand the lessons found in Homer and their relationship to not only the state, but more importantly the individual's relationship to Virtue. Inherent within an artwork is its relation to a world-view which cannot be taken for granted. In turn, every world-view promotes it's own pleasures, some compulsive and short sighted, some with the aim to gain in the long term, and some which truly aspire to something beyond, and idea greater than worldly ambition—this last sort of 'pleasure' flatters the immortal streak in humankind. It is upon this vision that society, living together as a community for the benefit of future generations, is possible. This discussion then relates to Plato's figuring of 'true' and 'false' pleasures, an issue taken up at length in both 'The Republic' and 'Philebus'.

Jaeger astutely points out the soul is always the standard for any healthy corporation. After all, 'The Republic' begins not with wondering what the ideal state looks like, but to what justice means in relation to the individual. The state's standard is humankind. In turn, all perversions of that state have the concerns of the soul at the periphery of its concerns—rather, the accumulation of money or status supplants spiritual concerns, obscuring the State's relationship to the individual. In a manner of speaking the responsible individual must constantly appeal to what is immortal in humankind, their more rational impulses, in order to maintain an idea of The Good. I am reminded of Adorno and Horkhiemer's relationship to the Rational—in both Plato and the Frankfurt School there is an attempt to reevaluate all values in order to come to a true understanding of the rational, the individual as responsive to their relationship with society.

This all ties in with the education one receives, one's 'Paideia'. As a result Jaeger sees 'The Republic' as less a design for utopia, but as a treatise on the importance of education in the healthy state. I, for one, am convinced of Jaeger's understanding of 'The Republic', and find the argument fascinating...

[Wim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Lifelong experience.

[David A. Beardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the trilogy by Jaeger and concentrates on the work of Plato, offering brilliant analyses of several of his dialogues. Jaeger understands it was Plato's project to turn people into philosophers, "lovers of wisdom," who have a special knowledge of "The Good." It goes far beyond the standard superficial academic studies of Plato and helps to restore philosophy as "a way of life."

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Not only in religion and ethics, but in politics and education too, the Greek mind soared high above the here-and-now, and created an independent spiritual world for itself. Its journey towards a new paideia started with the realization that a newer and higher ideal of state and society was necessary, but it ended with the search for a new God. The paideia of the fourth century, after it saw the kingdom of earth blown into dust, fixed its home in the kingdom of heaven."

[Richard Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ ALL THREE VOLUMES one of the great books of the 20th century.

[noblethumos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Werner Jaeger's "Paideia Volume 2: In Search of the Divine Center" continues the author's exploration of the intellectual and educational development of ancient Greece. Focusing on the period from the end of the 6th century BCE to the dawn of the 4th century BCE, Jaeger investigates the pursuit of wisdom and the quest for a divine center that shaped Greek culture during this transformative era. This review aims to provide an academic analysis of Jaeger's scholarship, highlighting the book's strengths, weaknesses, and its significance within the field of classical studies.


"Paideia Volume 2: In Search of the Divine Center" is a compelling and comprehensive examination of the intellectual and spiritual landscape of ancient Greece during the period of transition from the Classical to the Hellenistic age. Jaeger delves into the philosophical and religious developments that shaped the Greek world, showcasing the profound impact of figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle on the formation of Western thought. With meticulous attention to primary sources and a keen analytical eye, Jaeger explores the various interpretations of divine wisdom and the attempts to establish a unifying center for knowledge and moral guidance within Greek society.


Jaeger's scholarship in "Paideia Volume 2: In Search of the Divine Center" is characterized by its depth, erudition, and interdisciplinary approach. By engaging with a wide range of sources, including philosophical treatises, dialogues, and historical texts, Jaeger provides a nuanced understanding of the intellectual currents that shaped ancient Greek culture. His analysis of Plato's dialogues, in particular, is laudable, as he uncovers the intricate layers of philosophical thought embedded within them.

Moreover, Jaeger excels in highlighting the interconnectedness of philosophical, religious, and ethical ideas in the Greek intellectual landscape. By tracing the evolving concepts of divine wisdom and exploring their implications for individual and societal transformation, he effectively demonstrates the profound influence of these ideas on Greek society. Jaeger's ability to synthesize complex philosophical concepts and present them in a lucid and accessible manner is a testament to his mastery of the subject matter.


While "Paideia Volume 2: In Search of the Divine Center" offers a comprehensive analysis of the philosophical and spiritual underpinnings of ancient Greece, its extensive scope occasionally leads to a lack of depth in certain areas. In an attempt to cover a vast array of philosophical and religious developments, Jaeger occasionally leaves certain topics underexplored, leaving readers yearning for more detailed analysis or examples. Furthermore, the book may prove challenging for readers without prior familiarity with Greek philosophy, as Jaeger assumes a certain level of background knowledge.


Jaeger's work in "Paideia Volume 2: In Search of the Divine Center" holds great significance within the field of classical studies. By elucidating the quest for wisdom and the search for a divine center within Greek intellectual history, Jaeger unveils the intellectual foundations of Western civilization. This volume serves as an indispensable resource for scholars and students alike, enabling a deeper understanding of the philosophical developments that continue to shape contemporary thought.


"Werner Jaeger's "Paideia Volume 2: In Search of the Divine Center" represents a significant contribution to the study of ancient Greek intellectual history. Through meticulous research, interdisciplinary analysis, and a profound exploration of the philosophical and spiritual currents of ancient Greece, Jaeger enriches our understanding of the intellectual foundations of Western civilization. While the book may have limitations in terms of depth and accessibility for non-specialist readers, its overall significance and lasting impact make it an essential resource

GPT