Authors

Bing LiuFollow

Abstract

This article explores the complementarity and modern value of the philosophical thinking of Confucius, Aristotle and Dewey in the field of moral education by comparing them. Confucius's philosophy centers on ren ( 仁 ), emphasizing the importance of social harmony through the cultivation of virtues and moral character. However, his theory lacks a systematic elaboration of rational thinking. Aristotle, on the other hand, uses practical wisdom as a bridge to combine rationality and ethics, proposing the mean (中庸之道) and eudaimon (善的友愛) to make up for Confucius's focus on individual rational decision-making. Dewey's pragmatic view of education further breaks through the traditional framework, advocating the cultivation of critical thinking through experiential learning and democratic participation, injecting a dynamic practical dimension into traditional moral education. The integration of the three schools of thought provides a multi-dimensional path for contemporary moral education: with Confucian ethics as the foundation, combined with Aristotle's rational analysis and Dewey's practical methods, an educational system that combines humanistic care, logical thinking and social adaptability can be constructed to meet the ethical challenges of the era of globalization.

Advisor

Thomson, Garrett

Department

Philosophy

Disciplines

Ethics and Political Philosophy

Keywords

Confucian Morden society

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2025 Bing Liu