Confucius Educational Theory

• Confucius' goal was to reform the government, and his goals for education were to produce men who were capable to serve in government in decisive roles.
• Confucius attempted to produce chun tzu, which is in English word, "gentleman."
• Both Chinese and English words are originally one born into a high social station.
• Confucius replied, "No, I have one principle which I use like a thread, upon which to string them all."
• This sounds like a rationalist who seeks to arrange his observations (the world's phenomena) according to the principle of his own mind.
• Confucius was much influenced by the philosophy of his much older contemporary, Lao tzu, who is reputedly the founder of Taoism.
• Humans differ from other species in their tendency to meddle with Nature.
• An individual human's potential is limited by: the individual's ability to recognize his/her true nature, the individual's ability to follow the way of his/her true nature, and by his/her true nature itself.
• Learning is a process of observation of some type of subject matter, whether it be books, objects, or people, followed by reflection, that changes one.
• Confucius would have required that a teacher be one who has developed their own character.
• Confucius, himself was a teacher, and his methods were very informal, and tailored to the individual.
• Confucius did not use structured classes or examinations.
• Instead, he suggested to each student what they should study, and then discussed it with them and sometimes just listened.
• According to Confucius, a teacher should take the stock of each student, and then encourage their strengths, and improve their weaknesses.
• In the 2 books authored by Confucius, Genuine Living, and Great Wisdom, he clearly states that society starts with the individual, and that one must first develop oneself, to develop one's family.
• The family serves as a model for the community, the community as a model for the state, the state as a model for the country, and the country as a model for other countries.