Confucianism

• founded by Confucius

  • Kong Qiu

    • riches-to-rags

    • government worker and teacher

  • two ideals

    1. produce excellent individuals who could be social leaders

    2. create a harmonious society

       • excellent individuals = harmonious societyb

  • three interpretations:

    1. Legalists

       • humans are inherently selfish and lazy

       • law is necessary

    2. Mohists

       • humans are inherently evil

       • love and compassion can improve society

    3. Mencius

       • there is a hierarchy of love and responsibility that allows humans to be good

• found in China, Taiwan, Korea

  • Japan, Vietnam, SEA

• philosophy > religion

  • moral influence in both self and society

  • no teachings on Gods but concept of Tian

    • controls events on earth

    • cosmic moral principle that determines right v. wrong

CORE BELIEFS

1. Dao/The Way

   • within the human world

   • right relationships and harmonious society

2. Junzi (perfect/superior/noble/person)

   • inculcated Confucian ideals since childhood

3. Five Great Relationships

   • family is the foundation of society

     • revolves around family

       • parents are responsible for education and moral formation

     • live up to social role and status

       • only consult this to know their duty

     1. Father-Son

        • core

        • honor their parents

     2. Elder brother-younger brother

        •  elder brother must assume responsibility for raising the younger siblings, and the younger siblings must be compliant

        • lder brother assumes responsibility when the father dies

     3. Husband-wife

        • hierarchical

        • Husband = authoritative protector

        • Wife = protected homemaker and mother

     4. Elder - Younger

        • All older people have a responsibility for younger people, because younger people need care, support, and character formation.

        • The hierarchy of relationships governs the responsibilities between and among individuals.

     5. Ruler-Subject

        • The role of the ruler: above all

        • A ruler must act like a father, assuming responsibility and care for the subjects who are like his children