Confucius

Confucius Confucius

““If one learns from others but not does If one learns from others but not does not think, one will be bewildered. If one not think, one will be bewildered. If one thinks but does not learn, one will be in thinks but does not learn, one will be in

peril.” peril.” Confucius (551-479 B.C.) Confucius (551-479 B.C.)

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

“Never hesitate to ask a lesser person.”

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

“Silence is the true friend that never betrays”

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.”

Background Background Confucius lived during the Chou Confucius lived during the Chou

Dynasty (1100 B.C. to 256 B.C.). Dynasty (1100 B.C. to 256 B.C.). At this time, the land was divided At this time, the land was divided among feudal lords. The moral among feudal lords. The moral and social order was in a state of and social order was in a state of decay. Confucius sought a way to decay. Confucius sought a way to restore the cultural-political restore the cultural-political order. order.

He believed that reform would He believed that reform would come through educating the come through educating the leaders in the classics and in his leaders in the classics and in his philosophy. philosophy.

He sought a political position of He sought a political position of influence, from which he could influence, from which he could implement his principles.implement his principles.

Confucianism and Ethical Confucianism and Ethical Code Code

Confucianism, as its founder taught, is not a Confucianism, as its founder taught, is not a religion in the traditional sense. religion in the traditional sense.

It is an ethical code. Chinese culture was It is an ethical code. Chinese culture was steeped in the religion of animism, a belief steeped in the religion of animism, a belief that gods and spirits dwell in natural that gods and spirits dwell in natural formations. Along with an animistic world formations. Along with an animistic world view, there was a belief in ancestor worship. view, there was a belief in ancestor worship.

The spirits of the dead needed to be honored The spirits of the dead needed to be honored and cared for by the living family members and cared for by the living family members

OutlookOutlook Confucius looked back to the golden Confucius looked back to the golden

age of the Zhou dynasty, when he age of the Zhou dynasty, when he believed rulers were benevolent and believed rulers were benevolent and people lived harmoniously in society.people lived harmoniously in society.

According to Confucius, an individual According to Confucius, an individual was born with a moral nature. Evil was born with a moral nature. Evil was the result of bad things to which was the result of bad things to which a person was exposed. a person was exposed.

The Ideal HumanThe Ideal Human Cultured gentleman who knew proper Cultured gentleman who knew proper

behavior behavior The gentleman developed the five The gentleman developed the five

virtues of humanity: benevolence (jen), virtues of humanity: benevolence (jen), righteousness (yi), proper conduct (li), righteousness (yi), proper conduct (li), wisdom (zhi), and trustworthiness (xin). wisdom (zhi), and trustworthiness (xin).

A moral ruler who practiced those A moral ruler who practiced those virtues would encourage that same virtues would encourage that same development among his people. development among his people.

Confucius occasionally mentions the "Mandate Confucius occasionally mentions the "Mandate of Heaven." He appears to interpret this to of Heaven." He appears to interpret this to mean the natural law or moral order within mean the natural law or moral order within things. things.

Men must seek to live within this order. One Men must seek to live within this order. One must be careful not to violate the will of must be careful not to violate the will of heaven. heaven.

Confucius wrote, "He who put himself in the Confucius wrote, "He who put himself in the wrong with Heaven has no means of expiation wrong with Heaven has no means of expiation left." (left." (AnalectsAnalects 3:13) 3:13)

ZhougongZhougongThe Mandate Of HeavenThe Duke of Zhou may also have developed the philosophy of the mandate of heaven, which justified the legitimacy of Zhou rule. The philosophy stated that heaven gave a mandate, or authority to rule, to a worthy ruler. In order to remain worthy and keep that mandate, kings had to be virtuous and have concern for the welfare of the people.

Mandate continued Mandate continued If, according to Confucius, the If, according to Confucius, the

emperor lost the mandate of heaven emperor lost the mandate of heaven because of disobeying the moral code because of disobeying the moral code he should be removed. If a group of he should be removed. If a group of people tried to overthrow the emperor people tried to overthrow the emperor and was successful then he had “lost and was successful then he had “lost the mandate” but if he survived then the mandate” but if he survived then he must have not lost it. he must have not lost it.

?? What would this have done to the What would this have done to the

attitude and perhaps the rule of the attitude and perhaps the rule of the emperors in China?emperors in China?

What do you know about the first What do you know about the first emperor of China and his attitude emperor of China and his attitude toward scholars? toward scholars?

For a society to function, what key For a society to function, what key characteristics would your society characteristics would your society have to prosper?have to prosper?

Principles of Confucius’ Principles of Confucius’ teachings teachings

Three key principles are emphasized in Three key principles are emphasized in Confucius' teachings: the principles of Confucius' teachings: the principles of Li, Jen, Li, Jen, and Chun-Tzuand Chun-Tzu

The term The term LiLi has several meanings, often has several meanings, often translated as propriety, reverence, courtesy, translated as propriety, reverence, courtesy, ritual or the ideal standard of conduct. ritual or the ideal standard of conduct.

It is what Confucius believed to be the ideal It is what Confucius believed to be the ideal standard of religious, moral, and social conduct.standard of religious, moral, and social conduct.

One must express respect for their superiors One must express respect for their superiors

The second key concept is the Principle of The second key concept is the Principle of JenJen. It is the fundamental virtue of Confucian . It is the fundamental virtue of Confucian teaching. teaching.

Jen is the virtue of goodness and Jen is the virtue of goodness and benevolence. It is expressed through benevolence. It is expressed through recognition of value and concern for others, recognition of value and concern for others, no matter their rank or class. no matter their rank or class.

In the In the AnalectsAnalects, Confucius summarizes the , Confucius summarizes the principle of Jen in this statement, often called principle of Jen in this statement, often called The Silver Rule: "Do not do to others what The Silver Rule: "Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you." you would not like them to do to you." (Analects(Analects 15:23) 15:23)

Li provides the structure for social Li provides the structure for social interaction. Jen makes it a moral system.interaction. Jen makes it a moral system.

Chun-TzuChun-Tzu The third important concept is The third important concept is Chun-TzuChun-Tzu, the , the

idea of the true gentleman. idea of the true gentleman. It is the man who lives according to the It is the man who lives according to the

highest ethical standards. The gentleman highest ethical standards. The gentleman displays five virtues: self-respect, generosity, displays five virtues: self-respect, generosity, sincerity, persistence, and benevolence. sincerity, persistence, and benevolence.

His relationships are described as the His relationships are described as the following: as a son, he is always loyal; as a following: as a son, he is always loyal; as a father, he is just and kind; as an official, he is father, he is just and kind; as an official, he is loyal and faithful; as a husband, he is loyal and faithful; as a husband, he is righteous and just; and as a friend, he is righteous and just; and as a friend, he is faithful and honest.faithful and honest.

RelationshipsRelationships One of the basic human needs is the One of the basic human needs is the

ability to communicate and establish ability to communicate and establish a relationship with another person. a relationship with another person. Relationships can be very Relationships can be very complicated. For example do all complicated. For example do all people see love the same? Do all people see love the same? Do all societies agree how man should treat societies agree how man should treat women and the other way around? women and the other way around?

Let us stop here a moment and think. What is your interpretation of how each relationship listed below should treat each other:

1. Father to Son2. Husband to Wife3. Older to Young4. Ruler to Subject5. Friend to Friend

RelationshipsRelationships

Central to Confucius' teaching are relationships and Central to Confucius' teaching are relationships and social roles. There are five great relationships: social roles. There are five great relationships:

1.1. Kindness in the father and obedient devotion in the Kindness in the father and obedient devotion in the son son

2.2. Righteous behavior in the husband and obedience in Righteous behavior in the husband and obedience in the wife the wife

3.3. Humane consideration in elders and deference in Humane consideration in elders and deference in juniorsjuniorsGentility in the eldest brother and humility and Gentility in the eldest brother and humility and respect in the younger respect in the younger

4.4. Benevolence in rulers and loyalty of ministers and Benevolence in rulers and loyalty of ministers and subjectssubjects

5.5. Loyalty and sincerity among friends Loyalty and sincerity among friends If these attitudes are practiced there will be harmony If these attitudes are practiced there will be harmony

among all.among all.

Question??????Question?????? So what do you think of these So what do you think of these

relationships?relationships? How necessary are they in maintaining How necessary are they in maintaining

a functional and stable society?a functional and stable society? How do they relate to what you read How do they relate to what you read

about the Chinese family?about the Chinese family? Is it similar to the Korean family?Is it similar to the Korean family?

?? How would these relationships How would these relationships

impact the Asian societies of China, impact the Asian societies of China, Japan and Korea?Japan and Korea?

What aspects of Asian society still What aspects of Asian society still have aspects of the five have aspects of the five relationships?relationships?

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.

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.

Tea is poured during a Confucian ceremony infront of ancestral tombs in Kyongju, South Korea

372 - 289 B.C.E.

Disciple of Confucius.

Starts off with the assumption that “people are basically good.”

Emphasis on benevolence

If someone does something bad, education, not punishment, is the answer.

Good people will mend their ways in accordance to their inherent goodness.

A ruler who’s conduct leads to his A ruler who’s conduct leads to his subjects’ self-seeking behavior subjects’ self-seeking behavior should be deposedshould be deposed

“ “

The emperor is the example of proper behavior

Social relationships are based on “rites” or “rituals.”

Even religious rituals are important for SOCIAL, not religious reasons, according to Confucius.

?? In your opinion what should be the In your opinion what should be the

role of government? How should role of government? How should members of a government be members of a government be decided upon?decided upon?

What is the “Mandate of Heaven?”What is the “Mandate of Heaven?”

Sources Sources http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://

www.fas.harvard.edu/~vsdb/www.fas.harvard.edu/~vsdb/confucius.jpg&imgrefurl=http://confucius.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~vsdb/www.fas.harvard.edu/~vsdb/photos.html&h=418&w=310&sz=31&hl=en&start=13photos.html&h=418&w=310&sz=31&hl=en&start=13&tbnid=CkAMwwSIwAXBDM:&tbnh=125&tbnw=93&pr&tbnid=CkAMwwSIwAXBDM:&tbnh=125&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3DConfucius%26svnumev=/images%3Fq%3DConfucius%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DGGLJ,GGLJ:2006-34,GGLJ:en%26sa%3DN%3DGGLJ,GGLJ:2006-34,GGLJ:en%26sa%3DN

http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/confucius.html S.M. Pojer, Horace Greenly High SchoolS.M. Pojer, Horace Greenly High School J Spivey KISJ Spivey KIS "Confucius." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. "Confucius." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras.

2009. ABC-CLIO. 10 Feb. 2009 2009. ABC-CLIO. 10 Feb. 2009 http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com

"Zhou Dynasty (Overview)." World History: Ancient "Zhou Dynasty (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 10 Feb. 2009 and Medieval Eras. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 10 Feb. 2009 <http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com>.<http://www.ancienthistory.abc-clio.com>.