An Encouragement of LearningThe intellectual and social theorist Yukichi Fukuzawa wrote An Encouragement of Learning (1872?1876) as a series of pamphlets as he completed his critical masterpiece, An Outline of a Theory of Civilization (1875). Closely linked, the two texts illustrate the core tenets of Fukuzawa's theoretical outlook: freedom and equality as inherent to human nature, independence as the goal of any individual and nation, and the transformation of the Japanese mind as key to moving forward in a rapidly evolving political and cultural landscape. |
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accomplish actual affairs ancient argument ashigaru become called chōnin clothes Confucian Confucius course customs daimyos deeds despotic discuss doubt duty Encouragement of Learning equal evil example fact fear feudal foreign freedom Fukuzawa Fukuzawa Yukichi give Gonsuke harm heaven household human nature hundred ideas ignorant Ii Naosuke Japan Japanese citizen Kanrin Maru Keiō kind laws lives look lord loyal retainers Masashige matter means Meiji government Meiji period Meiji Restoration Mencius ment merchants mind moral Nagasaki Nakatsu national independence national seclusion obey officials one's parents peasants person political practical present principle protection reason reforms rice sake samurai scholars of Western seppuku Shinran shogunate social society spirit of independence stupid talents teachings theory things tion Tokugawa Tokugawa shogunate true vice violation virtue Watsuji Tetsurō West Western learning