A Comparative Study Of Confucius' And Socrates'on Being A Teacher

Confucius and Socrates are the great thinkers and educationists of the East and the West, and two major giants of the educational source of the East and the West. One is " sage "," exemplary teacher for all ages " of China; The other is western " the wise " , " all teachers' teacher ". Their views on education have a far-reaching and extensive impact on the development and trend of the education of the East and the West.This research has excavated to the Confucius' and Socrates' views on being a teacher from three respects of teacher's quality, status and function. it has pursued the similarities and differences between the views of being a teacher of Confucius and Socrates; it has analysed the social and historical reasons of the difference between the views of being a teacher of Confucius and Socrates. The thesis has also pointed out that the sustainable development of the basic education of our country can only be achieved by inheriting the fine tradition of Confucius' view of being a teacher and using Socrates' democratic and equal views on teacher.In chapter two, the author points out that both Confucius and Socrates are great educationists who have deep love for the educational undertaking , care about students , and are modest, diligent and independently-studied. It also points out that Confucius' attitude towards knowledge is adopting while Socrates' attitude towards knowledge is critical and exploratory.In chapter three, the author points out: in the process of educating and teaching, Confucius established his teacher-centered views on teacher that have a blind faith in teachers' authority, status and function. Socrates, however, has established his student-centered views on teacher that take students as the core instead of a blind faith in teachers' authority, status and function.In chapter four, the author points out: As great educationists representing the education and civilization of east and west, Confucius and Socrates treat students treat equally without discrimination. Confucius treats students as son. He is a model for those who respect teachers and love students. To him, the relationship between teacher and student is like a senior to a junior, a master to a servant, which is neither democratic nor equal. But the relationship between the Socrates and his students is based on democracy and equality.In chapter five, the author points out that teacher's quality should be improved, teacher's educational beliefs, duties, roles means should be changed. Only by carrying forward the subject position of students can we form scientific views on teacher, students and knowledge, and then can we establish democratic, equal and harmonious teacher-student relationship.