Confucianism and Ritual Propriety Lecture

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key philosophical concepts of Confucius and the administrative details mentioned in the lecture transcript.

Zhou dynasty

The nominal ruling dynasty during the time of the early philosophers, characterized by declining central power and various states warring with each other in a search for order.

Li ($\text{ritual propriety}$)

A concept originally referring to narrowly defined religious rites that Confucius broadened to mean the proper observance of all social norms and rules.

Social norms

The spoken and unspoken rules within a culture that guide appropriate behavior and expectations in various social contexts.

Harmony

A social state modeled after music where different elements or notes sound nice together, requiring social cohesion through ritual rather than making everyone identical.

Homogenize

The process of making everything or everyone the same, which Confucius explicitly distinguishes from the desired state of harmony.

Descriptive

An approach that focuses on the way things actually are, such as the way linguists observe how language changes naturally.

Normative

An approach concerned with the way things should be and the source of authority that determines which rules ought to be followed.

Passage $9.3$

An excerpt from the Analects where Confucius follows common practice regarding headwear materials but maintains traditional ritual by bowing before ascending to avoid appearing arrogant.

Index card

The specific format of cheat sheet the instructor allows students to bring to the midterm and final exams.

Creative Assignment

A class requirement to present something creative, like a poem or a meme, in $1$ minute or less during Friday breakout sessions.

Ritual reverence

The required mindset of respect and sincerity when performing rituals, without which Confucius suggests the ritual might as well not be performed at all.