Confucius insists that only the elite class are eligible for education.

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Question restatement: The prompt asks about Confucius and claims that only the elite class are eligible for education.
Option 1: 'True' — This would assert that education is restricted to the elite. In Confucian thought, this is inconsistent with his famous doctrine of the education of all people and the ideal of the sage being accessible to anyone who seeks learning. The misconception here is equating social privilege with access to learning, ignoring Confucian emphasis on moral development and the potential for anyone to become a learned person through study.
Option 2: 'False' — This option correctly challenges the claim by aligning with Confucian ideals that education should be available beyond just the elite. While historical practice varied, Confucius advocated merit and self-cultivation, and later traditions expanded educational opportunities to broader segments of society. The core argument is that learning is a path for personal and ethical improvement, not an exclusive privilege.
Why the 'True' option fails: It overgeneralizes from limited historical contexts and contradicts the central ethical principle of education as a means of self-cultivation and governance through virtuous leadership. It ignores the varied historical realities where education was pursued by aspiring individuals outside elite circles and misrepresents Confucian philosophy.
Why the 'False' option succeeds: It captures the aspirational aspect of Confucian teaching that education enables individuals to become benevolent and capable leaders, not merely those born into privilege. This aligns with the broader interpretation that education should be accessible or at least aimed at widening participation, rather than being strictly exclusive.
In summary, the statement presents an exclusive view not supported by Confucian aims of education and moral development for a broad range of people, making the 'True' claim incorrect and the 'False' claim the appropriate judgment.

Spr25_CHIN012_36029 2.3.5.1: Quiz on Confucius on Self Cultivation

Confucius insists that only the elite class are eligible for education.

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