Comparison of the teaching theory between Confucius and Mozi

【Abstract】Confucianism and Mohist are the most famous Academic school in Chinese history. The author compares the similarities and differences of educational thinking between Confucius and Mozi.

【Key words】Confucius Mozi education theory

In Chinese history， Confucianism and Mohist are the most famous Academic school. In the subsequent few years， Confucianism was increasingly brilliant， but the mohist almost disappeared.

Confucius and Mozi have made a great contribution to the spread of the education. But there are many differences of their educational theory and practice. These differences lead to their different status and the impact in the education thought field. Next， we'll discuss the similarities and differences of educational thinking between Confucius and Mozi.

Ⅰ. The function of the education

Advocating “Xiuji Anren”， Confucius attaches great importance to the function of education. “Xiuji” for the educated， is a learning process .And it is a process of teaching for the educators. In Confucius's opinion， the individual has Rende is not just take a caring heart to treat others. To those who don't have the Rende， he is filled with disgust. Of the nation， he believed that governing the people depends on educating the people. The country needs talented people who achieved good education. Therefore， the theory of Confucius was admired by almost all the kings of China.

“Jian'ai ” is the most important humanistic thought of Mozi. It means that one person should love not only himself but also all the people. “Fei gong” is another theory of Mozi， it means non-attack， it is from the ideal of the “Jian'ai”. The Mohist opposed to all wars at that time. “Non-attack” refers that mankind should live in peace， but not to attack each other. The Mohist trying to use the idea of “Non-attack” to persuade governors to stop the war.

Ⅱ.The purpose of education

Confucius believed that the purpose of education is to train “gentleman”. What kind of person is a gentleman? Firstly， he has to have the virtue. The center of virtue is benevolence. Secondly， he must be a talented person.

Mozi's educational purpose is different. His greatest desire is to cultivate “Jianshi”. This word means the person should have universal love.

Ⅲ. Education targets

Confucius's greatest contribution is to propose a famous theory “Youjiao wulei” . It means that everyone， whether rich or poor， has the right to receive the good education. In fact， many of his students are civilians children. Confucius' teaching without thinking of the social aristocracy is a shock to the society. And it laid the ideological foundation for civilian education.

Mozi also believes that humanity is similar， just as dye silk. “stained in dark green， then dark green， yellow dye in the yellow”. Environment and education can change people. To choose the good and benevolent friend， one can become an excellent individual. In Mohist opinion， people， regardless of the nobility or the civilian people， will be educated and changed.

Ⅳ.The content of education

In Confucius's view， the content of education and training objective are closely linked. His goal is to cultivate the “white-collar” who govern the country. He engaged in “aristocratic education” or “elite education”. Therefore， historical documents， loyalty and forgiveness， Practice and the faith is the core of education. Specific educational material that is poetry， calligraphy， ritual， trade， music， Spring and Autumn. In his view， to be gentleman is the only goal.

The education of Mozi is more close to life， he attached importance to moral education， and gave emphasis on the knowledge of the production and natural knowledge. Mozi is accomplished in geometry， algebra， mechanics， optics， psychology， logic， political economy， ethics， education， military， various aspects. His education is more pragmatic.

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