Confucianism Flashcards
What is the distinction between religious and philosophical confucianism?
There is not one.
What was Confucius’ main focus of attention?
SOCIAL ORDER
How did Confucius believe the will of heaven was fulfilled?
Through the moral law
How was it in relation to Chinese Folk Religion
Added to it
Exterted strong force on what part of Chinese culture?
Education
Confucius’ Chinese name
Kong Zi
After time in the office he became a
wandering teacher
Transmitter of
Sacred knowledge from the past
The Five Chinese Classics
The Analects
The 4 books of Confucianism
- The Analects
- The book of Mencius
- The doctrine of the mean
- The book of great learning
Scriptures are more
Theological and philosophical
Confucius optimist humanism built an
Ethical system built on a different kind of emphasis than the Dao, the focus was social order and human relationships
Principal Themes:
Ren, Li
Ren:
Benevolence, love, the will to seek the good in others.
Government should be by
Ren
Li
Propriety, the correct form of social harmony and order
Propriety should involve:
- Distinct roles in in relationships: kindness, not equality, filial piety
- Reciprocity
What is reciprocity
The silver rule - do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you
Filial Peity:
Family is the first consideration
Five core human relationships
Ruler and subject Father and son Husband and wife Eldest son and younger brother Elder and junior
Junzi
The ideal human, the confucian gentleman
The five constant virtues:
Self respect, magnaminity, sincerity, earnestness, benevolence
The doctrine of the mean
The golden mean is the true state of human perfection.
Mencius
A disciple who was instrumental in the survival of Confucianism
