Quarter 2 Week 4
Page 1: CONFUCIANISM
Page 2: OBJECTIVES
Recount the history of Confucianism
Page 3: HISTORY OF CONFUCIANISM
Overview: Confucianism is a system of ethics founded by K’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius) in 6th century BC China, emphasizing correct behavior, loyalty, and obedience to hierarchy.
Key Figure: Confucius (551–479 BC) was an itinerant teacher who systematized ancient Chinese philosophies, later compiled by his disciples into the Four Books and Five Classics.
Page 4: EDUCATION AND SPREAD
Focus on Education: Confucianism emphasized education as a means to attain worth and status.
Adoption as State Philosophy: Adopted under the Han Emperor Wu Ti in 2nd century BC.
Mandarin System: Inspired the system of non-hereditary mandarins appointed through rigorous examinations.
Veneration: By the 1st century AD, Confucius became revered across China, spreading to Vietnam during Chinese occupation, exemplified by the Temple of Literature built in 1070.
Page 5: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Context: Confucianism emerged during the Zhou dynasty, amidst technological advancements and increased wealth, leading to social upheaval and philosophical developments.
Zhou Dynasty: Characterized by the division into Western and Eastern Zhou, leading to the emergence of various philosophies amid chaos.
Page 6: EASTERN ZHOU PERIOD
Economic Growth: Marked by social change, political development, and technological progress including the widespread use of iron.
Impact on Agriculture: Iron tools led to agricultural advancements, fostering further societal growth.
Page 7: VIETNAM'S CONFUCIAN INFLUENCE
Civil Service Examination: Based on Confucian principles, the examination system was instituted in Vietnam in 1075 and persisted until 1919, reinforcing Confucian ideals, alongside Taoism and Buddhism.
Page 8: OBJECTIVES
Explain core teachings, practices, and beliefs of Confucianism.
Page 9: DEBATE ON NATURE
Philosophy vs Religion: Confucianism debated as either a religion or a philosophy; proponents argue it’s a philosophy aimed at reviving Zhou beliefs.
Page 10: CORE TEACHINGS
Human Relationships: Emphasizes ethical dimensions and social values as foundational for society, indicating Confucius' humanistic approach.
Page 11: TEACHINGS OF A "GENTLEMAN"
Definition: A gentleman must embody virtues like love, righteousness, wisdom, propriety, and loyalty; this notion promotes societal harmony.
Page 12: SACRED SCRIPTURES: THE CONFUCIAN CLASSICS
Five Classics: Core texts include the Book of Changes, Book of History, Book of Poetry, Classic of Rites, and Spring and Autumn Annals serving as foundational works of early Confucianism.
Page 13: ANALYZE THE CLASSICS
Analects: Contains Confucius' teachings and dialogues with disciples; while attributed to Confucius, these texts evolved over time.
Page 14: BOOK OF CHANGES
Also known as I-Ching, focuses on divination through hexagrams, dating back to Confucius' time.
Page 15: BOOK OF HISTORY
Also Shangshu, believed to be compiled by Confucius, containing speeches and historical accounts of governance from the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
Page 16: BOOK OF POETRY
This anthology includes 305 poems on themes of love and life, showcasing the cultural sentiments in ancient China.
Page 17: CLASSIC OF RITES
A compilation of Zhou ceremonial rituals and social norms, providing instructions on various rites including marriages, funerals, and education practices.
Page 18: ANALECTS OF CONFUCIUS
Collection of sayings attributed to Confucius; it evolved significantly over centuries and serves as a crucial text for Confucian doctrine.
Page 19: OBJECTIVES
Identify philosophical and religious dimensions of Confucianism.
Page 20: GENTLEMAN TEACHINGS
Emphasizes virtues essential to being a gentleman as a means to realize harmony.
Page 21: CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES / BELIEFS
Golden Rule: A key ethical principle urging mutual respect.
Doctrines: Include the notion of Tian (heaven), human nature, the rectification of names, the five constants, filial piety, and ancestor worship.
Page 22: BELIEF IN TIAN
Confucius acknowledged a practical view of heaven, viewing it as an all-encompassing concept influencing moral order.
Page 23: THE FIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Enumerates relationships that dictate social responsibilities: ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder-younger sibling, and friend-friend; emphasizing mutual obligations.
Page 24: HUMAN NATURE INTERPRETATIONS
Mencius: Affirmed innate goodness and the potential for moral development.
Xunzi: Argued for a more pessimistic view of human nature, exploring the necessity of education and law to cultivate moral behavior.
Page 25: THE FIVE CONSTANTS
Core virtues include:
Ren: Benevolence, fostered through social relationships.
Yi: Righteousness and moral duty.
Li: Propriety guiding social behavior.
Zhi: Knowledge/wisdom as an innate understanding of good.
Xin: Fidelity and trustworthiness.
Page 26: FILIAL PIETY AS A VIRTUE
Family relations serve as a framework for social order; respect for elders and kindness towards children is emphasized.
Page 27: ANCESTOR WORSHIP
Considered an extension of filial piety; the dual-soul concept in Chinese cosmology informs the ritual significance of ancestor worship as reverence for deceased relatives.
Page 28: RITUALS AND OBSERVANCES
Documented in the Book of Rites; Family Rituals include rites of passage, marriage, mourning, and sacrificial practices.
Page 29: OBJECTIVES
Discuss issues related to Confucianism.
Page 30: NATURE OF HUMANITY AND SOCIETY
Confucianism posits that humans are innately good, encouraging self-cultivation towards becoming a gentleman and adhering to social values and ancestor worship.
Page 31: AFTERLIFE AND MORAL ORDER
Confucius emphasized living ethically and meaningfully in the present rather than focusing on the afterlife, promoting the idea of li as a means to align human actions with Tian.
Page 32: DEVELOPMENT OF CONFUCIANISM
Mozi's Mohism: Confucianism’s early rival; critiques Confucian teachings and presents alternative views.
Page 33: SACRIFICIAL RITUALS
Conducted to honor ancestors; the Qingming Festival serves as a significant observance for commemorating deceased family members.
Page 34: MENGZI AND HIS CONTRIBUTIONS
Mencius expanded on Confucian thought, arguing for the innate goodness of human nature and ethical governance.
Page 35: XUNZI'S PERSPECTIVE
Xunzi's pessimistic view of human nature called for strict laws and educational reform, leading toward Legalism as a governing philosophy.
Page 36: RULER'S ROLE IN CONFUCIANISM
The doctrine of zhengmi upholds the need for moral governance and the integrity of governing figures.
Page 37: NEO-CONFUCIANISM
Revived Confucian philosophy in the 9th century, gaining momentum in the Song dynasty under Zhu Xi, influencing later Confucian thought.
Page 38: SELECTED ISSUES IN CONFUCIANISM
Concerns regarding hierarchy and authoritarianism in Confucian social structures.
Environmentalism challenges against established Confucian norms.
Page 39: FEMALE SUBORDINATION
Women face a subservient role within the Confucian hierarchy, defined by the