Governing the Objectives of Higher Education: A Revisit of Confucius’ Dual Imaginaries of the Ideal Man ( Junzi ) and Social Order ( Tianxia )
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Purpose This study examines the limitations of the dominant Anglo-American Research University model in addressing contemporary global challenges. By revisiting Confucius’ legacy, it explores his dual imaginaries of the ideal individual ( Junzi ) and social order ( Tianxia ) to propose a new framework for higher education. Design/Approach/Methods The study utilizes The Analects as its primary source to analyze Confucius’ educational philosophy. The “Confucius pragmatic paradigm” was adopted to interpret The Analects , which highlights the situational and participatory nature of Confucius’ dialogs, treating utterances as speech acts where the speaker's intentions are as crucial as the literal meaning. Findings This study underscores the relational, contextual, and internally driven nature of Confucius’ thought, emphasizing the organic integration of individual self-cultivation with the construction of a well-ordered society. It argues that Confucian ideals offer valuable insights for transforming higher education to better address global fragmentation and the evolving landscape influenced by AI-driven transformations. Originality/Value By engaging with Confucian thought, this study challenges prevailing neo-imperial ideologies in higher education and argues that each higher education model is underpinned by distinct imagined ideals of personhood and societal organization. It suggests a Confucian-inspired model that is more responsive to contemporary global needs.
Source: ECNU Review of Education
Authors: Catherine Yuan Gao (高媛), Rui Yang (杨锐)
Language: English
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7137936869