孔子와 Noddings를 통해 본 교육의 본래적인 관계

Abstract

Nowadays, many people in the world pursue productivity and efficiency, but in doing so they lose more fundamental reason for life, worthwhile modes of behaviors and the authentic self. The purpose of this study is to explore ways in which authentic relationship is key to resolving the challenges faced by contemporary societies and education. This study uses Noddings’ theory to develop the criteria for authentic relationship. According to Noddings, relationship is essential to human existence and is foundational to realizing the true self. The four criteria for authentic relationship examined in this study are relationship as goal, respect for uniqueness of the individual, mutuality in relationship, and capacity to expand relationships. The study takes Confucius as an ideal model for the authentic relationship in educational practices. He tried to build relationships with their disciples prior to initiating them into certain knowledge. He strived to understand the position of each and every disciple with their whole heart and guided the disciples based on the distinctive need and potential of each individual. Furthermore, he did not try to offer their teachings unilaterally but rather valued the disciples’ will and reactions. Accompanied by his disciples throughout their entire lives, he set the example of building relationships, and the disciples took after them and formed sincere relationships while showing love for people and the world. The problem of today’s education is that there is a lack of serious reflection on what the goal is, whether it is desirable, and whether the means and processes to pursue that goal are appropriate. People’s attention is concentrated not on what the goal is, but on how effective they can be in achieving it. Amidst all the tests and competitions, teachers and students fail to have a serious introspection on what is truly important in education, what is truly needed for men and this society as well as a single unique individual, and how they shall work it out. As a result, they are faced with mental chaos, heteronomy, despondency, and disorientation. The most fundamental thing to do in order to overcome the aforementioned is to recover the humanity and authenticity of men, which can be achieved by cultivating an attitude of sincerity and respectfulness in relationships. To this end, it is important to foster an attitude of sincerity and respectfulness by building a direct, distinct, interactive, and expansive relationship, as shown in the examples set by Confucius, especially in teacher-student relationships.