A Comprehensive History of Educational Thought in China, Volume 4

Author: Wang Bingzhao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1996-09-01
Features: During the Ming and Qing dynasties (before the Opium War), the development of Chinese educational thought experienced another glorious phase. This was not only reflected in the perfection, reflection, revision, or even critique of the traditional Neo-Confucian educational thought system but also in the further development of the pragmatic education school and the resulting enrichment and reform of educational goals and content. The education of the Ming and Qing periods was two highly significant stages in the history of ancient Chinese educational development. On one hand, the traditional educational system was further enriched and improved during the Ming and Qing dynasties. On the other hand, a pragmatic and empirical school of thought gradually emerged in the educational theory of the Ming and Qing periods. These scholars proposed their own educational principles when advocating for reforms to the traditional educational model and used them to guide educational practice. This laid a solid foundation for the emergence of modern Chinese education. From the perspective of the development of Ming and Qing educational theory and thought, its educational thought theory evolved alongside the development of various schools. In the early Ming Dynasty, due to the promotion of the central rulers of the Ming Dynasty, the Confucianism of Cheng and Zhu established its dominant position in the field of thought and culture. This volume reviews the development of educational thought in China from the Ming Dynasty to the eve of the Opium War.