enkuklopaideia

Enkuklopaideia, also transliterated enkyklopaideia or enkuklopaidia, is a term from Ancient Greek meaning the education of the circle or universal education. The root enkyklo- derives from enkyklos, circular or complete, while paideia means upbringing or education. In early usage, the phrase described a broad, well-rounded program of learning intended to cultivate citizens who possessed a general knowledge of the liberal arts, ethics, and civic responsibilities. The concept underlies what later came to be called a general education or liberal arts curriculum.

Historically, the word is associated with the idea of a comprehensive curriculum or body of knowledge that covers all fields. In the Renaissance and subsequent centuries, the term and its Greek idea influenced the development of encyclopedic projects and the broader movement to organize knowledge for wide audiences. The English word encyclopedia is derived from Greek roots reflecting this sense of a complete circle of study, and the term enkuklopaideia is often cited in linguistic and historical discussions to explain the etymology of encyclopedia.

In contemporary discussion, enkyklopaideia is primarily of linguistic and historical interest rather than a designation for a specific current institution. It is used to explain the ancient ideal of a universal education and to illuminate the etymology of the term encyclopedia. In scholarship on paideia and liberal education, the concept remains a reference point for debates about general education and the cultivation of well-rounded knowledge.