CONFUCIANISM AND CHARACTER EDUCATION: A CHINESE VIEW

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe principles of Confucianism are founded on humaneness, righteousness, propriety, knowledge, integrity and filial piety. These principles have found their way to the Chinese culture since the days of Confucius. The study reviews the concept of Confucianism and its influence in Chinese context. Also, the relationship between Confucianism and character education is discussed. Character education is based on the transmission of values and within Chinese society and most of these values have been founded on the teachings of Confucius. Filial piety has strongly been conditioned within the principles of Confucianism and the respect of one's elders. Character education has been promoted by teachers and elders who focus on the transmission of values from one generation to the next. Character education is supported by the theories and teachings set out by Confucius, mostly in relation to humaneness and integrity, as well as collectivism. The individualistic trends are discarded within character education, as the welfare of the society and the collective is prioritized.Keywords: Confucianism, Character Education, China, Chinese Society1. INTRODUCTIONConfucianism is one of the oldest religions and philosophical beliefs in the world. It is a philosophical and religious system which is based on the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. Through the teachings of Confucius, the values of humaneness, righteousness, propriety, knowledge, integrity, loyalty, filial piety and continence have been described and applied (Ackerman et al., 2009; McDonald, 2012; Chunxia, 2010). In relation to education, Confucianism supports different virtues and values which are meant to highlight the importance of study in the lives of followers. This study exams confucianism and character education based on a Chinese perspective. It presents a review of literature, first covering Confucianism in the Chinese context in relation to the proposition on Confucianism being positively related to Chinese cultural contexts. It Corresponding Author: then discusses character education and character education in Chinese society. Based on the literature and argument, the following proposition will be discussed-that Confucianism is positively related to character education in Chinese society. A conclusion will then collate and summarize the study. This study is being undertaken in order to establish a more detailed and intimate understanding of Confucianism and character education.2. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study reviews the concept of Confucianism and its impact on character education in Chinese context.2.1. Confucianism in Chinese ContextThe main principle of Confucianism is humanism. It highlights the world and the family, not the gods or the afterlife (Fingarette, 1998; Cheng, 2011; Kim and Strudler, 2012; Ip, 2009; Lin, 1994). Confucianism does not place much focus on faithfulness rendered to divine will (Juergensmeyer, 2005). This position is founded on the perception that humans can be taught and improved with personal and community efforts, especially self- cultivation (Zhao and Roper, 2011). It also placed much stock on virtue and ethics-ren, yi and li. Ren refers to altruism directed to other members of the community; y i seeks to support righteousness; and li refers to proper behaviour within the community (Yang, 2012). This principle also declares that one's life must be worth less than the need to uphold the values of ren and yi (Lo, 1999; Tynan etal., 2010).Although the principles of Confucianism were abandoned for a while, the 20th century saw its revival in China. One of the principles which have been highlighted in Confucianism is filial piety (Zhang et al, 2012). This is a principle which has long been entrenched in the Chinese culture. This principle indicates that there must be deference to older individuals, mostly within one's family. This principle is perfectly encapsulated in Confucius' statement when I walk along with two others, they may serve me as teachers. …