Study Guide Identity Terms

Question 1

Confucius

Answer 1

Confucius was an ancient Chinese Philosopher who lived from 551-479 BC and became one of the most influential figures in East Asian history. His Chinese name was Kongzi, which translates to Master Kong. Born into the low middle class, he lived in a time of disharmony and chaos. He sought to harmonize society and began teaching his ideas on the relationships between people and the rules that govern them, on being a gentlemen, on meritocracy and other topics. His ideas, his collective philosophy, which came to be known as Confucianism, influenced East Asia arguably more than any other philosophy in history, but it is not a religion as there is no discussion of afterlife, it was very practical. His teachings were recorded by his deciphels in what is known as “The analects”.

Question 2

The Four Books

Answer 2

1. Great Learning
2. Doctrine of the Mean
3. Analects
4. Mencius

Question 3

The Five Classics

Answer 3

1. the Classic of Poetry
2. The book of Documents
3. The Book of Rites
4. The Classic of Change
5. The Spring and Autumn Annals

Question 5

The Mandate of Heaven

Answer 5

The Mandate of Heaven is a concept regarding the validity and legitimacy of a ruler’s rule. the mandate id based on the conduct of the ruler, rather than noble birth. It is thought that heaven bestowed upon virtuous rulers the Mandate of Heaven that gave him the power to rule, but would take it away and give it to a legitimate replacement is the ruler became unjust as defined by the 5 Confucian Relationships. It served as a check to power and incentivised good conduct of rulers.

Question 98

“友善的：friendly, amiable”

Answer 98

amicable