Deconstructing China's Ancient Civil Service Exam
- Author
- China's Living Legends
- Published
- Sun 16 Feb 2025
- Episode Link
- https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/silan013/episodes/Deconstructing-Chinas-Ancient-Civil-Service-Exam-e2uucpu
we examine the imperial examination system in ancient China, focusing on the Ming and Qing dynasties. While the system was designed to offer upward mobility for the lower classes and maintain social stability, it emphasized rote memorization of Confucian texts like the Four Books and the writing of the rigid eight-legged essay, rather than practical knowledge.
00:00 Imperial Exams: 8-Legged Essay Secrets 05:28 8-Legged Essay's Bitter Legacy10:56 Imperial Exams' Legacy: China Today
