This edition of
Doctrine of the Mean
features both English and Chinese side by side for easy reference and bilingual support. The paragraphs are organized for easy reading.
Doctrine of the Mean is a doctrine of Confucianism and one of the Four Books of Confucian philosophy.
In China prior to the twentieth century the Doctrine of the Mean was integrated into the education system state wide. Also, one of the prerequisites for employment in the imperial government was the study and understanding of the Four Classics, included in this is the Doctrine of the Mean. The imperial state wanted to reinforce the three bonds of society; between the parent and child, husband and wife, and ruler and subject. This was believed to emphasize a peaceful home and an orderly state. Recently in China, the New Confucians revisited the Classics, because of its strong foundation in the educational system. Using the Doctrine of the Mean has become a useful source for New Confucians due to the similarities in the terminology and expression used by them and found within the text. This is further reinforced by the support from ancient sages and worthies who prefer education systems more closely linked to traditional Confucian thought. The bilingual study edition also includes a study guide with additional materials.