Confucianism

When did Confucianism begin?

The 6th century BC

Who was confucius?

A philosopher (someone who thinks about problems, lover of wisdom)

• was a court philosopher who lived from 550 to 479 BC

• Man of great humility, believed key to harmony rests in a good government

Master K’ung or Kongzi

• the name Confucius was coined by a Jesuit missionary in the 17th century

Is confucianism a religion?

yes, but Confucius had little concern w/gods

• he had a secular view (non-religious, wordly) of issues of the world

Analects

His teachings, written by his followers

Who am I?

Not innately wicked or evil (amoral)

disorder in the world bc I do not understand my place (relationships)

I have not been trained properly to cultivate my innate humaness

Ren

Innate humaness

What is my goal?

To create unity, peace, and harmony on earth

Jens

the implicity capacity for goodness and harmony in the individual

How do I achieve my goal?

A person must be trained in the 5 relationships, the concepts of shu, li, and moderation.

5 relationships

people respect one another and understand their role in society

• father to son (respect/honor)

• elder brother to younger

• husband to wife (obedience)

• friend to friend (equal)

• ruler to subject (loyalty)

Stable relationships = stable government

Filial piety

love for one’s family

Paternalism

A leader cannot use power in an arbitrary manner, must be humane and just

Deference

The subject must accept the authority of the person above you bc the person abve you is wiser and more powerful

The golden rule (shu - reciprocity)

Do unto others as you wold have them do to you.

• people always respect each other and do what is good

Da

Do something compassionate and create this virtuous energy

Lose face

to embarrass someone

save face

to keep someone from losing face

Li

Ritual, religious ritual can help shape moral behavior

Tao (way)

Whole educational process aim towards the way

• all acts in a persons life must be thought out

Moderation

A person should not indulge in excess of deficiency (eating, sleeping, drinking, etc.

junzi

“gentleman “ or “superior man”, someone who can perfect these ideals

100 schools of thought

during the warring states period, also known as the period of 100 philosophers

Comparison to Buddhism

Asceticism (not too much or too little)

major aspects of practicing kindness

music has power (it matters what you listen to)

outfits, clothing matters

historically you wore clothes associated with your class

Mencius

the religious aspect of Confucianism

Mencius beliefs

believed people and their human nature was innately goods

• actions are your ritual, the world is your temple

Xunzi

3rd century confucianist, who believed people were innaely evil