On some occasions, I have had discussions with colleagues and students about multicultural issues. One of the popular questions that I have been asked of is why Confucius’ teaching has had a long-lasting significant influence on Asian Culture. I therefore would like to give a brief introduction about Confucius and share one of my most favorite quotes from Confucius.

Who is Confucius and why is his teaching influential?

As Socrates is to the West, Confucius is to the East. Both worldwide known philosophers, Socrates and Confucius, formed and advocated their philosophy of education within their respective cultures and societies (Noddings, 2007; Benson, 2000). Their influences are tremendous and powerful. Who is Confucius? Confucius (551-479 B.C.), also known as Master Kong, born in Shandong province in China, is the main influence of Eastern thought. For Confucius, the purpose of education is to educate an individual to learn to be human in terms of learning to become a gentleman with superior moral accomplishments, such as "Jen" translated as benevolence (Hall & Ames, 1987). Confucius’ teaching was influenced by his perception during the troubled times he lived and by his belief in the early Zhou period during which China had experienced a golden age. Confucius authored and/or edited Four Books (Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Analects, Mencius) and Five Classics (Classic of Poetry, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, I Ching [Book of Changes, Spring and Autumn Annals). Confucius’ teaching emphasizes family loyalty, respect for elders, and worship for ancestors. The Analects, a compilation of speeches and discussions between Confucius and his disciples, has a significant influence on the philosophy and moral values of China and East Asia. It has also been a curriculum in many Asian countries. Here is one of my most favorite quotes from the Analects:

[2-15] 子曰。學而不思則罔、思而不學則殆。

The Master said, “To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.” (translated by Muller, 2018)

Indeed, the teaching says a lot. When we learn but do not think (understand what we learn), we will be confused about what we learn. On the contrary, if we think but do not learn (examine what we learn), what we learn will be dangerous or not reliable. Accordingly, learning requires understanding and examination. For example, the proverb goes, “He who does not advance loses ground.” Literally, the proverb means, if one does not move forward, he is moving backward. However, if we do the thinking and use frame of reference to try to understand the proverb, we tend to get many interesting answers, which may prompt or require us for further learning, thinking, understanding, and examination:

1. If the frame of reference is an object which is not moving but we are moving forward, we are moving forward.
2. If the frame of reference is an object which is moving in the same direction at the same speed as we are moving, then we are staying still. We are not moving forward.
3. If the frame of reference is time and we are not doing anything, then we are staying behind because we will never catch up with time on Earth.

Therefore, learning and thinking are important and teaching requires us to understand learning and thinking.