Historical Roots
From the Six Arts and Confucian education in the East to the classical polis in the West, the liberal tradition runs deep.
Philosophy
Philosophy & Methods
Roundtable · Liberal Education
Liberal Education
Liberal education
As society changes rapidly, students need independent thinking and critical skills more than ever—liberal education responds to that need. By spanning multiple disciplines and using small-group discussion, it helps students develop sound character, encounter different cultures and ways of thinking, and build the capacities society demands today.
Modern Practice
Brazilian educator Paulo Freire wrote in Pedagogy of the Oppressed that real learning happens in dialogue, not one-way instruction. Zhihe roundtables replace the authority structure of traditional classrooms with equal discussion—facilitators and participants sit together, awakening critical awareness through questions and responses.
Developing People
Centered on critical thinking and whole-person growth, responding to a fast-changing society.
Roundtable
The roundtable as method
Compared with traditional classrooms, the roundtable—from its most original spatial meaning—embodies equality, dialogue, and seeing one another as fully as possible. One of Zhihe's missions is to shift the power relation between teacher and student, especially by foregrounding participants' thinking, expression, and growth.
Facilitators and participants use books, essays, and other media as shared material
Full reading programs designed for 5–10 days
Small roundtables under 15 people, 2–3 hours daily
Participants are mainly local high school students and early-year undergraduates
This value must be lived in every session by its direct practitioners—facilitators and participants together.