Is Ertong Dujing a Viable Form of Moral Education for the 21st Century?-A Philosophical Investigation

Abstract

The paper deals with a controversy over the current ertong dujing movement. Ertong (children) dujing (reciting the classics) refers to a grassroots educational movement in Taiwan and mainland China in which children recite the classical texts of Confucianism and Daoism in order to promote cultural values and cultivate moral character. The controversy centers on the legitimacy of recitation as a method of instruction and the value of classics in contemporary education. Although the controversy has somewhat subsided in academic circles, the practical question of how to integrate classical learning into a contemporary curriculum is still unresolved. This paper aims to explore the potential moral and educational value of the ertong dujing movement from a philosophical perspective by drawing on the teachings of Confucius in the ”Analects” and also the works of John Dewey (1859-1952). The reason why I propose a hypothetical conversation with Confucius (551-479 BCE) and Dewey is that their thoughts about education have often been used to either support or denounce the ertong dujing movement. The purpose of the paper is not to take a stand or to finally settle the controversy, but to highlight both its prospects and challenges with respect to moral education. In light of the constant tensions between localization and globalization, between East and West, between educational theory and practice, we need to move beyond mere ideological disputes and examine the ertong dujing movement more deeply and thoroughly.