Abstract:

This article aims to reconstruct Confucius’ ideal of “education without discrimination” (youjiao wulei) from the perspectives of intellectual history and political philosophy to demonstrate its continued theoretical and practical significance in modern pluralistic societies. “Education without discrimination” is not a statement of fact about the educated, but rather a value judgment about the educators; it requires teachers to treat students with different individual backgrounds equally. This article argues that “education without discrimination” is a type of civic moral education, which belongs to neither elite nor popular education. It seeks to cultivate exemplary persons (Junzi), rather than influence common people to form moral customs. It is reasonable to interpret “Junzi” and “Junzi’s virtue” as “good citizens” and “civic morals” in the vision of intellectual history and political philosophy. This reasonability shows the possible significance and value of Confucius’ ideal of “education without discrimination” at the level of civil moral education in modern society.

Key words: Confucius, education without discrimination, civic moral education, Junzi