"I use four structural devices in treating the impact of these selected significant figures on the historical and philosophical foundations of education: (1) historical contexts, (2) educational biographies, (3) the development of educational ideas, and (4) an assessment of significance. Each chapter establishes the historical context in which the particular person lived and worked and then examines how the person's interaction with his or her historical context or environment stimulated that individual to reflect on education and to formulate ideas about education or, in some cases, to develop a complete philosophy of education." Pg 5

"Confucius was repelled by the chaos of political turmoil and social unrest during which traditional values and customs were challenged, ignored, and disregarded. Reacting against this instability, Confucius looked to what he regarded as the 'golden years' of peace, stability, and law and order epitomized by the Duke of Chou. He developed a social, ethical and educational philosophy...