Confucius and the Relevance of Confucian Philosophy to Contemporary Debates About Teaching

Introduction

Confucius, like Socrates, is known to modern readers through the testimonies of his students. The Analects of Confucius were not written by him but recorded by others. As such, the philosophical teaching that they might have to offer is quite unlike a contemporary academic paper or book with a clear linear narrative. Yet if anything, perhaps more can be learned more from his insights and his practice precisely because of the “unity” between knowledge and behavior that is achieved by this notable characteristic of Chinese educational theory. Confucian scholars have noted how they can see the man as he was in life from the texts that have been passed down the generations.

From the portrait of Confucius that may be pieced together from the Analects, it has been suggested that this offers the image of an exemplary teacher for all ages. To understand this claim, a brief account of Confucius and his upbringing is given, placing him in the historical origins of Chinese classical...