The Pre-Qin Confucian Moral Education Goal Thought And Its Contemporary Value Research

Confucianism runs a long course from a remote source, and it’s a broad and profound system. It has a far-reaching influence on the living and thinking patterns of Chinese people. The thoughts of the goal of Pre-Qin Confucian moral education, which is an important source and branch of Confucianism, establishing its own system and containing profound quality, is not only having shined it’s dazzling light in the history, but also guiding our present moral education work, construction of socialist morality and the cultivation and practice of socialist core values. The paper is composed of five parts:The first part is preface. This part firstly discusses the theory and practice significance of the study. More review, analysis, and research on this subject have important theoretical and practical significance, in respect of strengthening the construction of contemporary moral education system, promoting the cultivation and practice of socialist core values and even accelerating the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristic. Then, through the literature reorganizing both at home and abroad, we find that previous studies on this subject is insufficient, which leaves us a space to make a breakthrough and innovations. Lastly, research methods is introduced, involving documentary analysis, historical research and summary method.The second part talks about the forming background of the thoughts of the goal of Pre-Qin Confucian moral education. At first, the thoughts is largely rooted in the establishment of human being’s subjectivity, it will accomplish nothing otherwise. The process of this establishment was completed in the Axial Age. When it comes to China’s Axial Age, divergent schools of thought criticized the ritual and music culture in different directions. Among them, Confucian scholars made the greatest contribution, by promoting the independent personality to entered the historical arena. Secondly, the forming of the thoughts of the goal of Pre-Qin Confucian moral education is based on the social conditions. The root cause is the development of productive forces. Its necessity is embodied in the call for “Junzi” because of the age of chaos; the possibility reflect on the increase of social wealth and the upsurge of the private education. All of these make a contribution to forming and developing the thoughts. Lastly, the perfection and maturity of some concepts such as “Junzi”, “virtue” and “rite”, lay a theory foundation for the thoughts. In a word, the forming of the thoughts of the goal of Pre-Qin Confucian moral education shows historical inevitability.The third part is the main part of this paper, which elaborates the contents of the thoughts. Confucian scholars put forward four essential requirements for “Junzi”. The first aspect is that Junzi should possess virtues based on “Mercy”. Secondly, Junzi should attach great importance to the significance of practice, and put theories into practices, and follow the principles of rite, and treat learning as an important task. Thirdly, in the aspect of interpersonal relationship, Junzi should cope with the blood-patriarchal relationship, oneself-others relationship, individual-group relationship, under the premise of perfecting himself. Lastly, Junzi should take on the responsibility of governing the nation and pacifying the people, this is the last step to become a real Junzi.The fourth part discusses about the values and limitations of the the thoughts of the goal of Pre-Qin Confucian moral education. Firstly, its positive influence in the history is embodied in three aspects: it established theory foundation for later moral education work; it provided provide a method of guidance for later moral education work; it had a profound impact on the national spirit and character of Chinese nation. Secondly, the thoughts has its own limitations: its requirements are too much and too severe to cultivate a man to be a Junzi successfully; its neglect of the cultivation of the law, labor, and science awareness lead to a uncompleted and imperfect Junzi; besides, it provide people a hypocrisy option because of its conservative political stance, which makes people become dishonest.The fifth part discusses the practical enlightenment and the of the thoughts. All of these should be attached importance while we do the moral construction. There are three principles here: one is that ensure an all-round development while taking morality as first; one is that take practice into account and realize the unity of knowing and doing; the last one is that do it in a in a persistent way.In conclusion, this study has important theoretical and practical significance, and it is worth us to explore and think constantly.