School
Great Learning
Overview
The Great Learning or Dàxué was one of the "Four Books" in Confucianism attributed to one of Confucius' disciples, Zengzi. The Great Learning had come from a chapter in the Book of Rites which formed one of the Five Classics. It consists of a short main text of the teachings of Confucius transcribed by Zengzi and then ten commentary chapters supposedly written by Zengzi. The ideals of the book were attributed to Confucius, but the text was written by Zengzi after his death.
The "Four Books" were selected by the neo-Confucian Zhu Xi during the Song dynasty as a foundational introduction to Confucianism. Examinations for the state civil service in China came to follow his lead.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
In the _third book_ he continues to dilate on music and gymnastics, and then proceeds to treat of the talents, habits, and education suitable for the inferior magistrates of a state. Lastly, from the interpretation of a certain Phœnician fable, he demonstrates the need of a community and general harmony between citizens, as being truly brethren and members of the same family. It is quite necessary, however, that…
Plato, The works of Plato
Names Great Learning.
He was assisted in this undertaking by the archbishop of Novogorod, named Theophanes Procop, or Procopowitz, i.e. son of Procop. This prelate was a person of great learning and sagacity: his travels through the different parts of Europe had afforded him opportunities of remarks on the several abuses which reign amongst them. The czar, who had himself been a witness of the same, had this great advantage in forming…
Voltaire, The History of Peter the Great, Emperor of Russia
Names Great Learning.
Then Antiochus repeated what Catulus mentioned yesterday, as having been said to Philo by his father, and many other things besides; nor did he forbear even to publish a book against his own master, which is called “Sosus.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero, The Academic Questions, Treatise De Finibus, and Tusculan Disputations, of M.T. Cicero, With a Sketch of the Greek Philosophers Mentioned by
States what Great Learning is; names Great Learning.
Philosophers who discussed Great Learning
Related ideas
- Book of Rites
- Cheng Hao
- Mencius
- Zhu Xi
- Imperial examination
- Mencius (book)
- Taiwan
- Yi (philosophy)
- Analects
- Lu Jiuyuan
- Taoism
- Spring and Autumn Annals
- Neo-Confucianism
- Chan Buddhism
- James Legge
- Han Yu
- Doctrine of the Mean
- Song dynasty
- Chinese philosophy
- Confucius
- Xunzi (philosopher)
- Wang Yangming
- Cheng Yi (philosopher)
- Cheng brothers
Place in the tradition
Part of Neo-Confucianism.