Principles of comprehensive self-renewal by Stephen R. Covey in the perspective of ancient greek paideía and the ideal of kalokágathía

Abstract

Taking into account the ideals of ancient areata ethics (παιδεία and καλοκάγαϑία), the article describes the concept of a comprehensive self-renewal of Stephen R. Covey in four dimensions/spheres of renewal. The first dimension of renewal is related to the physical sphere; the second dimension involves spiritual qualities; the third dimension is of mental/intellectual characteristics; and the fourth dimension addresses community qualities, i.e. socio-emotional values. This contemporary concept is described on the background of the philosophical values of ancient Greece: character development, concern of άρετή and μετάνοια; also broadly understood care for own ψυχή.