Upcoming Events

Dinner Discussion with:

Professor Jerome Silbergeld

Professor of Chinese Art

Tuesday, December 15 @ 5:45 PM

“Art Photography, Documentary Photography: What’s the Difference?"

All members in Frist 234.

RSVP required -- seats are limited!

Click Here to RSVP

Paideia, n.

"Ancient Greek Hist. Education, upbringing; spec. an Athenian system of instruction designed to give pupils a rounded cultural education, esp. with a view to public life. Hence: the sum of physical and intellectual achievement to which an individual or (collectively) a society can aspire; a society's culture." -(Oxford English Dictionary)

Paideia is a group of 60-some students from all classes and academic backgrounds who come together to promote the exchange of ideas outside of the classroom. Our aim is to foster intellectual curiousity and interdisciplinary interaction and discussion at Princeton University. By bringing a variety of Professors in a large number of fields to lead an academic dinner discussion every week, we hope to give students an opportunity for intellectual stimulation in either something they find very interesting or something that they would never otherwise be exposed to. This also conveniently lets students meet new professors, who may end up being very helpful in other aspects of their life. Paideia is everyone's favorite precept - all the fun and interest of an academic discussion, without the stresses and responsibilities of grades or homework.

The ideal discussion is a discussion in which the professor speaks for a few minutes to start things off, followed by a real exchange of ideas among the students and guided by the professor. This doesn't always (or even often) happen, and indeed sometimes the difficult nature of the topic makes it impossible (though we always try to get a topic that anyone can understand).  We get food from somewhere on Nassau street for every discussion.

Because of the camaraderie among students and their previous preparation, our members look forward to cross-table debates in which the professor is a full-fledged participant, providing depth and expertise, and also encouraging others to join in. We have found that this format has produced many memorable and thought-provoking evenings.

We look forward to having you for our next dinner!