Transcript Confucianism

The Life and Legacy of
Confucius
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Born in 551B.C.E.
to a noble but poor
family.
Confucius died in
479 B. C. E.
Confucius was an
exceptional
student who later
became a teacher
and a government
official.
Confucius
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Born in 551 B.C.
died in 479 B.C.
Confucianism
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Concerned primarily with
restoring social stability and
order
• What is the basis of a stable,
unified, and enduring social order?
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a system of social and ethical
philosophy- NOT A RELIGION
Confucianism
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A system of social and ethical
philosophy
• “only when character is cultivated
are our families regulated; only
when families are regulated are
states well governed.”- Confucius
How do you cultivate one’s character?
EDUCATION
Human Qualities
 What is maturity?
What is the highest human virtue?
What is the best way to behave?
How can one be a cultured person?
How can one best govern?
Confucius’s Solution
Confucius’s solutions centered on human relationships and drew
from the sages of ancient times.
At the time of his death, Confucius was considered a failure.
However, his influence in China and around the world continues
to this day.
The Analects of
Confucius
* The single most important Confucian
work.
* In Chinese, it means “conversation.”
* Focus on practicalities of interpersonal
relationships and the relationship of
the role of rulers and ministers to the
conduct of government.
The Analects of
Confucius
What the gentleman demands is something of
himself. What the petty man demands is something
of others.
Anyone learning without thought is lost, anyone
thinking but not learning is in peril.
The Analects of
Confucius
* Knowing what he knows and knowing what he
doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person
who knows.
* Making a mistake and not correcting it, is
making another mistake.
* The superior man blames himself; the
inferior man blames others.
* To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.
Confucianism
“The gentleman agrees with others without being an
echo. The small man echoes without being in
agreement.” Analects 15.30
“If one is guided by profits in one’s actions, one will
incur much ill will.” Analects 14.24
“Never kiss a fool, or be fooled by a kiss.”
Three Schools of
Thought
 Legalists: Stern rule of law and harsh punishments
Mohist: universal love, even towards enemies.
Taoist: cared little about societal improvement and believed that
the path to human happiness lay in the individualistic pursuit of
harmony with nature.
1. Ruler
Subject
2. Father
Son
3. Husband
Wife
4. Older
Brother
Younger
Brother
5. Older
Friend
Younger
Friend
Human Relationships
Self = the center of all relationships and is constantly changing
and growing towards maturity.
Family = each person has a clear sense of place and purpose.
Good behavior and respect for elders are important in the family.
Government = the leader has acquired the moral perfectionm
needed to lead by the power of example.
Heaven = represents the ultimate moral force that guides and
nurtures humanity.