(Re)Considering East Asian Education Intellectuals’ Role: Rediscovering or Critiquing Confucianism

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 1:15 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Rights, Resistance, Impact: Resisting Hegemony in Curriculum Studies (Table 39)

Abstract

This paper theoretically reflects on East Asian education intellectuals’ role regarding Confucianism by mobilizing Foucault’s conception of subject, critique, and intellectual. The main aims of this study are (1) to investigate the concept of ethical subject in Confucianism by Foucauldian framework and (2) to contemplate philosophically East Asian education intellectuals’ role based on the analysis of (1). Two Confucian classic books (Annelcts and Book of Rite) are utilized for analysis of Confucian ethical subjects. The ideal Confucian subject is described as the gentleman (Junzi) pursuing Great harmony, moded by Confucian moral principles and rituals. Based on this analysis, an anticipated East Asian Education intellectuals’ role is discussed regarding Confucianism, which is neither simply revere nor abandon it.

Author

• Jonggeun Park, Teachers College, Columbia University