THE REVIVAL OF CONFUCIANISM: THE RELEVANCE OF CONFUCIAN THINKING REFLECTED IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA
THE REVIVAL OF CONFUCIANISM: THE RELEVANCE OF CONFUCIAN THINKING REFLECTED IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA

Summary/Abstract: The Revival of Confucianism: The relevance of Confucian Thinking Reflected in the Educational System in Contemporary China. Confucianism can be defined as one of the most representative philosophies or religions in East Asia that had and continues to have an important influence, both in China, where it has emerged, and in the other countries of Asia, which have adapted the Confucian principles to their own politics. In China, the influence of Confucianism made its presence felt in all spheres of society in such a way that the Confucian model offered the principles of governance based on humanism, harmony and an appropriate behavior within the community. Chronologically, however, we can observe fluctuations of Confucian influence, especially in the modern era of China, when, with the change of government, a rejection from the traditional culture and a removal of the tradition has taken place, in order to embrace the modernization according to the model provided by the West. This distancing from the roots of one’s own culture leads, in the long term, to the loss of national identity and to a vacuum of spiritual values. Thus, in the contemporary period, the Chinese government promotes a return of the country to the old cultural traditions, in order to regain the values that have been lost in time and to be able to promote their country, internationally, making use of their millenary culture. The purpose of this article is to present how Confucian values are currently reflected in the education of Chinese students, to analyze the effects that this return to Confucianism has on Chinese society and to present the ways in which Confucianism could be applied in education.

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