Chinese Thoughts on Education: A Historical Perspective, Volume 1

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of ancient Chinese educational thought, spanning from its origins to its evolution across millennia. At its core, the book argues that ancient Chinese education was deeply rooted in societal, political, and cultural contexts, with a distinct focus on ethical cultivation, secular utility, and social harmony. It traces the development of educational ideas through key historical periods, from the early emphasis on the "Six Arts" (rites, music, archery, chariotry, writing, arithmetic) in the Western Zhou Dynasty to the foundational roles of Confucius (advocating "education for all without discrimination") and Xue Ji (On Education, the world's first monograph on education). It further examines the thoughts of major schools-Confucianism, Mohism, Legalism, and Taoism-and their debates on morality, governance, and human nature. Key themes include the primacy of moral education (over utilitarianism), the political function of education in maintaining social order, and pedagogical methods like heuristic teaching and individualized instruction. The book also highlights unique features such as the integration of family and state in educational goals, respect for teachers, and the interplay between education and institutions like the Imperial Examination. This volume is a landmark resource for global readers seeking to understand the intellectual foundations of Chinese education.

Yongxin Zhu is a member of the standing committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, member of the Central Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy, deputy mayor of Suzhou City, full-time professor at Suzhou University, and part-time professor at Beijing Normal University, Nanjing Normal University, and Tongji University. He is also a member of the Supervisory Committee of Psychology Teaching in Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and a member of Teacher Education Expert Committee. Zhu’s publications include Chinese Wisdom of Management, Psychology of Management, Psychology of Human Resource Management, and Essays on Education by Zhu Yongxin (10 volumes). He also compiled and edited Serial Translation of Excellent Textbooks of Educational Science, Collection of Essays on New Education, and Collection of Essays on Online Education. He has supervised a number of major research programs supported by the State Fund for Natural Sciences, State Fund for Social Sciences, and the UNESCO Fund.