Confucianism

Mandate of Heaven

An ancient Chinese belief that legitimized rulers as 'Sons of Heaven'; it could be lost if a king became illegitimate.

The Five Classics

A collection of foundational texts central to Confucian thought, including the Classic of Documents, Spring and Autumn Annals, and others.

Ri (Li) 禮

The concept of ritual and propriety essential for creating social order; Confucius emphasized its importance.

Ren 仁

Benevolence or co-humanity; a core value in Confucianism involving deep empathy and social responsibility.

Junzi

A morally and intellectually superior person in Confucianism, cultivated through the study of ancient classics.

Mencius

A follower of Confucius who believed in the inherent goodness of human nature.

Xunzi

A Confucian thinker who argued that human nature is inherently bad and that goodness must be cultivated.

Mohism (Mozi)

A school of thought advocating universal love and criticizing Confucianism's emphasis on ritual and familial partiality.

Legalism (Han Feizi)

A school that emphasized the control of people through laws, reward, and punishment, rejecting reliance on ancient traditions.

Neo-Confucianism

An evolved form of Confucianism during the Song dynasty, responding to Buddhism and Daoism; emphasized internal investigation.

Zhu Xi

A Song Dynasty thinker who reorganized Confucianism, added the 'Four Books', and emphasized self-cultivation through Li.

Wang Yangming

A Ming Dynasty philosopher who focused on 'innate knowing' and the unity of thought and action in Neo-Confucianism.

Four Virtues (四德)

Chastity, Speech, Countenance, and Labor, which defined women's roles in Neo-Confucianism.

Three Followings (三從)

A set of rules dictating that women should submit to their fathers, husbands, and sons in Confucian society.

The Great Learning

A Confucian text that outlines the order of personal and societal cultivation leading to a well-governed kingdom.

Illustrious Virtue

The ideal goal of Confucian education, which aims to illustrate noble virtue and civilize the people.

Mandate of Heaven

The divine right to rule in ancient China, legitimizing rulers as 'Sons of Heaven' and could be lost if a king becomes illegitimate.

The Five Classics

Core texts of Confucianism that include historical records, guidelines for conduct, and methods of divination, forming the foundation of Confucian thought.

Ritual (Li)

The importance of proper conduct and rituals in creating social order, as emphasized by Confucius.

Benevolence (Ren)

A core Confucian value that goes beyond kindness, representing deep empathy and social responsibility.

Confucius

The founder of Confucianism, whose teachings emphasized morality, social relationships, and proper conduct.

The Analects

A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius, highlighting key aspects of his philosophy.

Mencius

A follower of Confucius who believed in the inherent goodness of human nature.

Xunzi (Hsun Tzu)

A Confucian thinker who argued that human nature is inherently bad and requires cultivation for goodness.

Institutionalization of Confucianism during the Han Dynasty

The establishment of Confucianism as the state ideology by Emperor Wu of Han to legitimize his rule.

Neo-Confucianism

A revitalization of Confucian thought during the Song dynasty, adapting Confucian principles in response to Buddhism and Daoism.

Zhu Xi (Chu Hsi)

A Neo-Confucian thinker who emphasized 'Li' (principle) and the importance of self-cultivation.

Investigation of things

Zhu Xi’s concept of extending correct understanding to all things in the objective world as a means of self-cultivation.

Wang Yangming

A Neo-Confucian philosopher who emphasized 'innate knowing' and argued for the unity of thought and action.