What does paragoge mean?
Paragoge is a rare educational term for teaching knowledge at a level appropriate to a learner's current understanding. The learner's readiness is central: new material is introduced gradually, with earlier concepts serving as the foundation for more complex ones. The term is most closely associated with Plato's educational theory, especially the account of learning in the Republic, in which instruction should follow the development of the pupil's mind rather than impose advanced material prematurely. In modern educational writing, paragoge can evoke approaches associated with scaffolding, differentiated instruction, and developmentally appropriate teaching. The word is intellectual and uncommon in general speech, so it is encountered mainly in philosophy, pedagogy, and the history of education. Its principal interest lies in its classical formulation of a principle now treated as fundamental: learning is best guided from what a person can already understand toward what that understanding makes possible.
nounThe educational principle of teaching material that is appropriate to a learner's stage of development, particularly by introducing ideas the learner is ready to understand. The term is chiefly associated with Plato's discussion of education in the Republic.
- An educational method that presents knowledge in a sequence suited to the learner's developing understanding and abilities.
- By extension, guidance or instruction designed to lead a learner gradually toward fuller knowledge.
"The teacher followed a form of paragoge, introducing each idea only after the pupils had acquired the skills needed to understand it."
"Her approach reflected paragoge: each lesson built carefully on what the students already knew."
"The discussion of paragoge in ancient philosophy has influenced later theories of child-centred education."
Plural forms are rare because the word is used mainly in theoretical or historical discussion.
"The lectures compared two forms of paragoges within ancient educational thought."
Named for Plato's idea of leading a learner onward one step at a time, paragoge gives a classical name to the modern practice of teaching at the edge of what a pupil is ready to learn.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does paragoge come from?
Paragoge comes from Greek paragōgē, a word formed from para-, meaning 'beside' or 'alongside', and the verb agōgō, meaning 'to lead'. Its earliest sense was associated with leading or introducing, which was extended in classical philosophy to the idea of guiding a learner according to what he or she is prepared to receive. The English philosophical term was borrowed through Latin and French. Its relatives include pedagogue and pedagogy, which share the Greek root agōgō, and paradigm, which comes through Latin from a related Greek educational metaphor.
Related word forms
How paragoge is actually used
This is a rare, chiefly academic and philosophical term. It is usually used in discussions of educational method, especially when referring to Plato's developmental approach, and would sound unusual in everyday conversation.
Easily confused with paragoge
Paragoge is a method of introducing knowledge at the level a learner can understand, whereas propaganda is information or ideas intended to influence opinion or conduct.
Paragoge names an educational principle, while a pedagogue is a teacher or educational theorist associated with that method.