Confucianism

Question 1

Confucianism a Religion?

Answer 1

• Whereas in Daoism one can distinguish between philosophical and religious Daoism, in Confucianism this distinction is not clear-cut Was Confucius religious?
  
  • He adhered to the established ceremonies (ancestor veneration, etc.) yet he was only mildly religious (i.e. focused on supernatural)
  • His main focus of attention was SOCIAL ORDER HOWEVER He had a prophetic consciousness (felt called by Heaven to teach) & believed that the will of Heaven is fulfilled through the moral law Just like Daoism Confucianism did not replace Chinese folk religion; instead, it adapted it and built upon it Often intermixed with Daoism and Buddhism It has exerted strong influence on Chinese culture, especially on education

Question 2

Founder

Answer 2

• Historical setting is the breakdown of the Chinese feudal system (600 BC) leading many to experience an existential crisis
• Born in poor family, soon orphan of father, avid learner who felt he could make a difference by taking office in the government
• After some time in office he began the life of a wandering teacher
• Transmitter of sacred knowledge from the past, the 5 Chinese classics
  
  • The 4 books of Confucianism (standardized much later)
    
    1. The Analects (best source of info on Conf.)
    2. The book of Mencius
    3. The doctrine of the mean
    4. The book of great learning

Question 3

Optimistic Humanism

Answer 3

• An ethical system built on a different kind of emphasis than the Dao, the focus here being on social order and human relationships
• PRINCIPAL THEMES REN: Benevolence, love, the will to seek the good of others Government should be by Ren (not necessarily in the sense of being democratic)
• LI: Propriety, the correct form of social harmony and order involving Distinct roles in relationships: kindness, not equality, filial piety Reciprocity (the Silver Rule: Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you)

Question 4

Confucius and the family

Answer 4

• Filial piety Confucius made the interest of the family the first consideration It extended to the ruler-subject relationship which should be built on moral goodness rather than legal enforcement
• Five core HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
  
  1. Ruler and subject
  2. Father and son
  3. Husband and wife
  4. Eldest son and younger brother
  5. Elder and junior
• JUNZI: the ideal human, the Confucian gentleman
• The Five Constant Virtues:
  
  1. self-respect,
  2. magnanimity,
  3. sincerity,
  4. earnestness,
  5. benevolence

Question 5

Pearls

Answer 5

• THE RECTIFICATION OF NAMES
  
  • Define ideal social roles carefully so that people can fit them.
  • Morality cannot exist apart from precision of thought and language. There is an inseparable connection between intellectual disorder and moral perversity
• THE DOCTRINE OF THE MEAN
  
  • The Golden mean is the true state of human perfection

Question 6

after confucius

Answer 6

• MENCIUS:
  A disciple who was instrumental in the survival of Confucianism
• After a time of persecution, in the 1st century BCE, Confucianism becomes a state religion.
• Emergence of a (Confucian) government sponsored system of education designed to train officials
• Devotion is transformed into worship: miracles and various mythical stories attributed to Confucius.
• Zhu Xi, in the 10th century CE, brought about a revival of Confucianism called NEO-CONFUCIANISM involving systematization of existing philosophy and addition of cosmological elements Communism persecuted Confucianism (especially during the cultural revolution from 1966-1976) but presently there is a greater recognition of the moral usefulness of Confucianism