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Chapter 8 - Education, Examinations, and Neo-Confucianism

from Part II

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2017

Toby E. Huff
Toby E. Huff
Affiliation:
Harvard University, Massachusetts
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Summary

This chapter outlines the key elements of the Chinese educational system and its commitment to Neo-Confucianism as set out by the great philosopher Zhu Xu (Chu Hsi d.1200). The system embedded Confucian texts (The Five Books and a newly revised version of them) in a triennial examination system based on rote memorization. Exclusive priority was given to the classic Chinese text in philosophy, history and poetry with the exclusion of natural science. While in principle the examinations were open to all qualified candidates, few succeeded who had not already formed family or clan alliances. Likewise, any deviation from the standard neo-Confucian interpretations of Confucian ideas met with instant failure.
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The Rise of Early Modern Science
Islam, China, and the West
 , pp. 236 - 257
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2017

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