World-leading experts unite in landmark book from Nord University

The result is a book weighing 1.6 kilos and nearly 1,000 pages, with contributions from some of the world’s foremost experts on antiquity and pedagogy.

But it is the content that the three editors hope will carry the greatest weight.

Virtus et Humanitas: Bridging Virtues and Values of Greco-Roman, Jewish, and Christian Paideia brings together 46 research chapters by scholars from leading universities in Europe and the United States. In total, researchers from 15 countries are represented.

All three editors work at the Faculty of Education and Arts and Culture at Nord University.

“We believe this is the most ambitious publishing project our faculty has undertaken so far,” says Professor Gabriella Gelardini.

The book originates from an international, interdisciplinary conference held in Bodø in 2022. Around 70 researchers from 15 countries gathered to discuss what today’s schools and societies can learn from antiquity.

The conference was a collaboration between Nord University, the University of Oslo, and the University of Michigan.

Almost all of the speakers agreed to develop their contributions into chapters for the book.

“We managed to gather world-leading scholars in both classical studies and pedagogy. That was quite special. We are very pleased that so many wanted to continue their involvement,” says Gelardini.

Throughout the project, one word has recurred: bridge-building.

The aim has been to build bridges between ancient texts and modern education, as well as between academic fields that rarely work closely together.

“Pedagogues and classical scholars do not usually meet. Here, they were able to discuss the same questions from different perspectives. That proved very fruitful,” says Gelardini.

Professor Kåre Fuglseth believes the dialogue between past and present is more important than many people realize.

“When we aim to create a good future, we always build on ideas from the past. That is why we also need to understand where these ideas come from,” he says.

The researchers have explored how ancient Greek, Roman, Jewish, and Christian texts can shed light on education today.

A key concept is paideia, which can be translated as education or formation.

“Formation returned to the Norwegian national curriculum in 2020. It was therefore natural to go back to its origins. The concept has been with us for more than two thousand years,” says Fuglseth.

In antiquity, people often spoke of virtues. Today, we more often use terms like values and attitudes.

“What do values like tolerance and responsibility actually mean? These are the kinds of questions the book seeks to explore,” he says.

The project is not only about history.

The editors believe the book also addresses issues that are highly relevant today.

“We live in a time when democratic values are being weakened in many places. It is therefore important to examine which values have endured over time,” says Gelardini.

At the same time, she emphasizes that ancient ideals cannot be transferred uncritically to the present.

“We do not want to copy the past. We want to learn from it. That requires both openness and critical reflection.”

Fuglseth hopes the book can influence educational research.

He believes that much research today focuses on collecting classroom data, while fundamental theories receive less attention.

“If you do not have theory to interpret empirical data, you become blind. You do not know what you are actually looking for. We want to highlight the long lines of ideas that underpin modern pedagogy,” he says.

If you do not have theory to interpret empirical data, you become blind. You do not know what you are actually looking for. We want to highlight the long lines of ideas that underpin modern pedagogy

Kåre S. Fuglseth

Although the editors come from backgrounds in theology and classical studies, the book is written for a much broader audience.

It is aimed at researchers, students, teachers, educators, philosophers, clergy, and others interested in education, formation, and values.

Professor Per Jarle Bekken believes that the meeting between disciplines has strengthened the book.

“Educators have long drawn inspiration from antiquity. We hope this book can open the door to even more of the ancient texts and perspectives,” he says.

Work on the book has taken four years.

The editors describe a long process involving peer review, editing, and collaboration with researchers from several continents.

“It almost feels unreal to be finished. We have lived with this book for so long,” says Fuglseth.

For Gelardini, the project has also had a personal dimension.

“The collaboration has been fantastic. We have not only created a book together—we have also built a strong friendship. I will miss that.”

The collaboration has been fantastic. We have not only created a book together—we have also built a strong friendship. I will miss that.

Gabriella Gelardini

Bekken, above all, feels gratitude.

“I feel I have been part of something very special. I am genuinely grateful for that.”

He also highlights that the book has brought together researchers from the international elite.

“We have contributions from scholars at institutions such as Yale and Cambridge. These are researchers from the very top tier.”

The editors hope the book will be read far beyond Norway.

“I believe this book will make Nord University even better known in European research communities,” says Fuglseth.

For the three editors, however, the project is about more than international recognition.

They hope the book can inspire new conversations about education, formation, and democracy.

And perhaps demonstrate that some of the most important questions about how human beings are formed still have roots stretching back more than two thousand years.