Discourse Conflict and Tragedy in Educational Spaces: The Experience of China in the 11th Century

Author: Zhou Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: From the perspective of archaeological knowledge, this book first examines the formation of several famous educational discourses in 11th-century China and the hidden desires for moralization and power struggles behind them. From Fan Zhongyan, Wang Anshi to Su Shi, Cheng Yi, the theoretical ambitions and perspectives of the educators underwent a major transformation: they abandoned the decadent tendencies of educators since the late Tang Dynasty and demanded to "save the world." Their reform ideas gradually shifted from systems to human nature, and then evolved into contemplation on how to make the existence of "human beings" "Li Xue" (Neo-Confucianism). It then analyzes the consequences of this transformation: on the one hand, the moralizing power based on "Li Xue" implemented a new definition and transformation of "human beings"; on the other hand, frequent complaints and resistance against this moralizing power broke out in literary, economic, and daily life domains. This book can serve as a reference for professionals, graduate students, and undergraduate students in the fields of education, society, and history. Starting from the perspective of archaeological knowledge, this book first examines the formation of several famous educational discourses in 11th-century China and the hidden desires for moralization and power struggles behind them.