Confucius (551-479 BCE)
Confucius, born August 27, 551 BCE in Tuo, China, was a thinker, political figure, educator, and founder of the Ru School of Chinese thought. He founded Confucianism, a humanistic school of thought based on the moral principles of benevolence, propriety, and ritual. As one of the very first educators in ancient China preparing officials for their offices, he educated others to become skilled, ethical, competent, and trusted government officials of which he believed in preparing for office by studying.
His first school had the mission of preparing young men for government service and the second school incorporated the goals of government service and teaching into one endeavor. Confucius’s educational philosophy was his highest priority and it included reading, writing, literature, mathematics, music, and physical ability. He designed a curriculum that emphasized these areas as well as the study of rites and ceremonies, and the practice of civility. He taught his students morality, proper speech, government, and the refined arts. While he also emphasized the “Six Arts”, ritual, music, archery, chariot-riding, calligraphy, and computation, he regarded morality the most important subject.
The Four Books by Confucius were used as the official core texts of Confucian education from 1313 to 1905 C.E. Academies and schools based on Confucianism flourished throughout China during the Imperial Period leading to the development of a system of imperial examinations allowing candidates to earn “bachelor’s” and “master’s” degrees much like that of today’s society. Mentoring and discipleship were also important in Confucius’s philosophy of education, which became a major characteristic in China and East Asia where Confucianism a huge proponent. This is the same relationship that later became very popular with Socrates and Plato.
Confucius is credited with having taught 3,000 students, though only 70 are said to have truly mastered the arts he treasured. He was willing to teach anyone as long as they were eager and determined. Confucius's goal was to create gentlemen who carry themselves with grace, speak correctly, and demonstrate integrity in all things. Confucius died November 21, 479 BCE in Qufu, China. Today he is widely considered one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.
His first school had the mission of preparing young men for government service and the second school incorporated the goals of government service and teaching into one endeavor. Confucius’s educational philosophy was his highest priority and it included reading, writing, literature, mathematics, music, and physical ability. He designed a curriculum that emphasized these areas as well as the study of rites and ceremonies, and the practice of civility. He taught his students morality, proper speech, government, and the refined arts. While he also emphasized the “Six Arts”, ritual, music, archery, chariot-riding, calligraphy, and computation, he regarded morality the most important subject.
The Four Books by Confucius were used as the official core texts of Confucian education from 1313 to 1905 C.E. Academies and schools based on Confucianism flourished throughout China during the Imperial Period leading to the development of a system of imperial examinations allowing candidates to earn “bachelor’s” and “master’s” degrees much like that of today’s society. Mentoring and discipleship were also important in Confucius’s philosophy of education, which became a major characteristic in China and East Asia where Confucianism a huge proponent. This is the same relationship that later became very popular with Socrates and Plato.
Confucius is credited with having taught 3,000 students, though only 70 are said to have truly mastered the arts he treasured. He was willing to teach anyone as long as they were eager and determined. Confucius's goal was to create gentlemen who carry themselves with grace, speak correctly, and demonstrate integrity in all things. Confucius died November 21, 479 BCE in Qufu, China. Today he is widely considered one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history.