ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Páthei máthos

Okay kiddo, Páthei máthos is a Greek phrase that means "learning through experience" or "one learns through suffering." It's a belief that says we can learn more effectively by going through difficult experiences instead of just reading or hearing about them.

Imagine you are learning to ride a bike. You can read a book about how to do it, watch a video or have someone explain it to you, but until you get on the bike and actually try to ride it, you won't really understand what it feels like and how it works. That's what páthei máthos is all about. It suggests that sometimes the best way to learn is to experience things firsthand, even if that means going through a little bit of pain or discomfort.

Let's give another example. Imagine you want to learn how to make bread. You could read about it and watch videos, but you won't really understand the process until you try to make it yourself. You might make a mistake or burn the bread, but this experience will teach you more than just reading about it.

So, in a sense, páthei máthos is saying that we learn through our mistakes and experiences. It's about not being afraid to try new things, even if we might fail, because we will ultimately learn and grow from those experiences.