The influence and enlightenment of Confucian cultural education on modern European civilization

Abstract

Confucianism, not only is the core of Chinese cultural educational thoughts but its influence has been identified in the West by the European scholars. And with the impact of Confucianism civilization, the theological authority in the Dark Ages wavered. The human-based ideas of Confucianism that people are the foundation of the country, the governing way of “Governance with virtue”, the way of personnel placement that men of great virtue and talent are elected who will cultivate mutual trust and promote universal understanding, the nationwide education thought that there should be education for everyone without distinction and the imperial examination system under the idea that those who excellently learned should serve (in the government), have exerted beneficial influences on the European modern civilization. Looking back at the course of Confucian influence in the West and the influence on the Enlightenment and modern civilization, it is easy to find that Confucianism education is of universal value in the pluralistic cultural world, which can enhance the cultural identification and cultural consciousness of a nation, creating a heritage of excellent cultural education and enriching the connotation of the contemporary cultural education.