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Confucius
“If one learns from others but not thinks, one
will be bewildered. If one thinks but does not
learn, one will be in peril.”
Confucius (551-479 B.C.)
Background
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Confucius lived during the Chou
Dynasty (1100 B.C. to 256 B.C.). At
this time, the land was divided
among feudal lords. The moral and
social order was in a state of decay.
Confucius sought a way to restore
the cultural-political order.
He believed that reform would
come through educating the
leaders in the classics and in his
philosophy.
He sought a political position of
influence, from which he could
implement his principles.
Confucianism and ethical code
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Confucianism, as its founder taught, is not a
religion in the traditional sense.
It is an ethical code. Chinese culture was
steeped in the religion of animism, a belief that
gods and spirits dwell in natural formations.
Along with an animistic world view, there was a
belief in ancestor worship.
The spirits of the dead needed to be honored
and cared for by the living family members
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What aspects of the last slide are still
evident in Asia? Explain your answer.
Mandate of Heaven
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Confucius occasionally mentions the "Mandate of
Heaven." He appears to interpret this to mean
the natural law or moral order within things.
Men must seek to live within this order. One
must be careful not to violate the will of heaven.
Confucius wrote, "He who put himself in the
wrong with Heaven has no means of expiation
left." (Analects 3:13)
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If, according to Confucius, the emperor
lost the mandate of heaven because of
disobeying the moral code he should be
removed. If a group of people tried to
overthrow the emperor and was successful
then he had “lost the mandate” but if he
survived then he must have not lost it.
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What would this have done to the attitude
and perhaps the rule of the emperors in
China?
What do you know about the first emperor
of China and his attitude toward scholars?
Principles of Confucius’ teachings
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Three key principles are emphasized in
Confucius' teachings: the principles of Li, Jen
and Chun-Tzu.
The term Li has several meanings, often
translated as propriety, reverence, courtesy,
ritual or the ideal standard of conduct.
It is what Confucius believed to be the ideal
standard of religious, moral, and social conduct.
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The second key concept is the Principle of Jen.
It is the fundamental virtue of Confucian
teaching.
Jen is the virtue of goodness and benevolence.
It is expressed through recognition of value and
concern for others, no matter their rank or class.
In the Analects, Confucius summarizes the
principle of Jen in this statement, often called
The Silver Rule: "Do not do to others what you
would not like them to do to you." (Analects
15:23)
Li provides the structure for social interaction.
Jen makes it a moral system.
Chun-Tzu
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The third important concept is Chun-Tzu, the
idea of the true gentleman.
It is the man who lives according to the highest
ethical standards. The gentleman displays five
virtues: self-respect, generosity, sincerity,
persistence, and benevolence.
His relationships are described as the following:
as a son, he is always loyal; as a father, he is
just and kind; as an official, he is loyal and
faithful; as a husband, he is righteous and just;
and as a friend, he is faithful and tactful.
Relationships
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Central to Confucius' teaching are relationships and
social roles. There are five great relationships:
Kindness in the father and obedient devotion in the son
Gentility in the eldest brother and humility and respect
in the younger
Righteous behavior in the husband and obedience in
the wife
Humane consideration in elders and deference in juniors
Benevolence in rulers and loyalty of ministers and
subjects
If these attitudes are practiced there will be harmony
among all.
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How would these relationships impact the
Asian societies of China, Japan and
Korea?
What aspects of Asian society still have
aspects of the five relationships?
Is Confucianism under threat today in
Asia? Explain your answer.
Sources
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http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://
www.fas.harvard.edu/~vsdb/confucius.jpg&imgr
efurl=http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~vsdb/photos
.html&h=418&w=310&sz=31&hl=en&start=13&
tbnid=CkAMwwSIwAXBDM:&tbnh=125&tbnw=9
3&prev=/images%3Fq%3DConfucius%26svnum
%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DGGL
J,GGLJ:2006-34,GGLJ:en%26sa%3DN
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/confu
cius.html
Retrived 8/24/06