On the Function and Purpose of Education

Zhu attaches importance to the important role of education in changing human nature. He explained the theory of human nature from the objective idealism of rational monism, and put forward the view that human nature is rationality, that is, feudal moral norms of benevolence, righteousness, courtesy and wisdom. He said: "sex is only rational, because it is inherent in people, so it is called sex."

Associated with the thought about the role of education, Zhu advocated that the purpose of school education is to "understand human relations". He said: "The ancient holy king was set up as a school to teach people all over the world. ..... there must be a tendency to get rid of its temperament, a cover of material desires, a tendency to return to its nature, and an end. " In Zhu's view, to overcome "temperament bias" and get rid of "material desire" to restore goodness, we must "do our best".

Therefore, he emphasized that "father and son are close, monarch and minister are righteous, husband and wife are different, young and old are orderly, and friends are trustworthy." This man is also great. This is all about study, study and school. " In Revealing the Secret of Bailudong Academy, it is also clearly listed as "teaching purpose" and put in the first place, pointing out that "scholars only learn this".

Starting from the idea that the purpose of education is to "understand human relations", Zhu severely criticized the school education with the purpose of imperial examination at that time.

He thinks: "The ancient sages taught people to learn, did they ask them to reason and cultivate their bodies, and then push themselves and others?" They don't just want to remember their affairs, write poems and make money. "

However, school education at that time did the opposite. Scholars "seek books instead of reciting, exegeting and writing words in order to gain fame and gain benefits".

It is completely contrary to the original intention of "learning from the previous king and learning from the Ming Dynasty". He pointedly pointed out that the name of this school "may or may not be superior to the king, but the teaching of its teachers and the learning of its disciples all seek justice because they forget their roots and have no intention of returning to the king." Therefore, although the name of the school exists, it is not actually mentioned. The effect is that customs are getting worse and worse and talents are getting worse. "

Therefore, he called for the reform of the imperial examination and the reorganization of schools. In view of the neglect of ethical education in school education at that time, which induced students to "pursue fame and gain profits", Zhu restated and emphasized the idea of "ethical relationship" in order to change the situation that "customs are getting worse and worse and talents are getting worse and worse", which had certain positive significance at that time. At the same time, his criticism of school education and imperial examination system at that time was also timely.