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Confucianism

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

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Confucianism

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  1. 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 “Do not worry because you have no position. Worry about your qualifications. Do not worry because no one appreciates your abilities. Seek to be worthy of appreciation. Analects 4.14

  2. Confucius Never kiss a fool, or be fooled by a kiss.

  3. The Life and Legacy of Confucius • 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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?

  6. Confucian Virtues • Tao = the Universal Way • Chun-tzu = mature person - this person has such abundant virtures that he or she is able to contribute to the improvement of society. • Jen = supreme virtue = perfect form of benevolence - doing one’s best to treat others the way you would like to be treated. • Li = proper behavior = behaving properly given the situation at hand. • Wen = a cultured person. Music, poetry, archery, calligraphy. • Te- virtue shown through the power of example.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. Order in Human Relationships are Key • Filial piety –Children owe a reverent attitude to their parents • Human Relationships are HierarchicalSocial order comes from everyone knowing their place and their social duty.

  10. Cardinal Relationships • Ruler and Subject • Husband and Wife • Father and Son • Older and Younger Brother • Friend and Friend(The only non-hierarchical relationship)

  11. Social Order • Confucius Didn’t Advocate Social Equality • He did de-emphasize class distinctions and supported class mobility. • Ren is ultimate virtue: (like the Golden Rule)

  12. Government Relationships • Serving the ruler is the highest calling • Uniting people under a benevolent ruler is the ultimate goal • Still constrained by the “Mandate of Heaven”

  13. Confucius and Religion • Don’t believe in “religious rituals” • Xunzi rejects the efficacy of prayer, but advocates religions practical advantages(Social control)

  14. 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.

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