Transcript Confucius

Confucius
Chapter 8 – Imperial China
II. Biography
A. Early Life
1.
2.
3.
4.
born in 551 BC
Warring States Period
poor family-- cleaned stables
love of education
B. Adult Life
1. became an official for state of Lu
2. began writing about his beliefs
3. exiled himself and attracted
disciples
4. ideas were not adopted into
governmental practice until long
after his death
III. Philosophy (in 3 parts)
A. Filial Piety (respect for family)
B. Moral character (trustworthy,
hardworking, honest, etc)
C. Ritual (respecting ancestors and other
cultural traditions, rigorous study of
morals & academics)
solution
to
problem
of social
chaos
• Confucius believed that a good
government depended on having
wise leaders
• Confucius wrote about ethical
and moral behavior, both by the
governments and individuals
The Five Relationships
1. Emperor to Subject
2. Father to Son
3. Husband to Wife
4. Older Sibling to Younger
Sibling
5. Friend to Friend
These all demonstrate a superiorsubordinate relationship that must be
respected at all times!
Confucian Social Order
Emperor
Upper Class
(court, nobles, gov’t
officials, scholars)
Peasants
(farmers)
Artisans
(skilled craftsmen)
Merchants
(traders)
Slaves
Confucius believed that it
was possible to move
within the social order-through hard work and
study (or merit).
Confucianism Explained
• Confucius and Confucianism
• 8:40 minutes
• READ
–Neo-Confucianism Page 184
–The Civil Service Page 185
Assignment:
You are a young Chinese man who has just
passed the civil service examination.
You will be given a government job.
What opinion are you likely to have about neoConfucianism?
Write a short persuasive letter in which you
explain how neo-Confucianism will help or hurt
your career.