Confucius (Kung Fu-Tzu)*(551-479 BC)

*Family name = Kung (Kong) Personal name = Zhong-ni Kung Fu-Tzu (Kong Fu-zi) = “Master Kung” “Confucius” = Latinization of “Kung Fu-Tzu”

Historical backdrop:Confucius' ChinaConfucius lived in the “warring states” period of China. Wandering warlords of little virtue were overthrowing legitimate kings.

He was concerned about where his society was going; leaders weren’t caring well for society. Petty wars were constantly erupting.

Society was emphasizing less education, writing, the arts. Families were in discord. Peasants were being unjustly burdened with heavy taxes to support their own life of luxury. Confucius worked his way up through government posts until age 50. He retired in frustration and began 30 years of teaching, which he saw as transmitting old wisdom from the sage kings). He did not see it as innovation, he was renewing age old values in a spirit of conservative renewal.

The 5 Chinese Classics I Ching (Book of Changes) The Book of RitesThe Book of PoetryThe Spring & Autumn AnnalsThe Analects

Some add Mencius’ (a later disciple of Confucius) The Great Learning and The Doctrine of the Mean.

Taoist: the oldest writings. Source: Lao Tzu

Believed to be edited by Confucius

Believed to be written by Confucius

West Chou dynasty was a Golden Age and the time of Confucius. Agricultural made great progress, tools improved. Slave Society.

In the later period of Zhou dynasty, the ruler only governed the country in name with true power lying in the hands of powerful nobles. Internal conflict and power struggle intensified. Wars between the states were regular. The Eastern Zhou is chronologically divided into two subperiods-the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warriors Period.

Shang (1,766 - 1,122 B.C.)

Chou (Zhou) (1,122 - 771 B.C.) (770 - 256 B.C.)

Neolithic China

Oracle bones, human sacrifice, bronze works advanced.

Chou (Zhou) decays into Warring States (475 - 221

B.C.)

1000 schools

Qin (Chin)– Legalism (short lived)

Han - Confucianism

(221 - 207 B.C.)

(206 B.C. - 220 A.D.)

Confucius claimed to derive his teachings from “the Ancients,” whose

wisdom is embodied in “The Five Classics” (Wu Jing)

The I Jing (“Book of Changes”)The Shu Jing (“Book of History”) The Shih Jing (“Book of Odes”

[poetry])The Li Ji (“Book of Rites”)The Ch’un-ch’iu (“Spring & Autumn

Annals”)

The primary sources of Confucian philosophy

Major expressions of Confucian philosophy after Confucius

Analects (Lun-Yu)The Doctrine of the Mean

(Zhongyong)The Great Learning (Ta-hsueh)The Book of Meng-Tzu

“The Four Books” (Ssu-chu)

(Mencius, 371-288 BC)

The ancient State of Lu

That’s where Confucius was born & spent most of his life.

Anthem

Confucianism originated in China, but its influence spread to Korea & Japan over the centuries.

Anthropology(Human Nature & the Human Predicament)

Human nature:◦naturally &

inherently good - need for cultivation via education

◦naturally social & political - development & perfection of human nature within the social & political realm

The human predicament:◦suffering as a result of

failure to follow the “Way of the Ancestors”

◦Disharmony & conflict between Heaven & Earth, between the ancestors & us; and between humans here on earth

◦Solution of problem of suffering: reestablish harmony

Confucian metaphysics, continued

Confucius’ Political Philosophy

Te - the union of power & virtue

The characteristics of a good ruler (or civil servant):◦moral goodness (virtue & propriety)◦rationality◦moderation◦benevolence

Confucian axiology, continued

1. Confucian beliefs start with human experience and immediate human relationships: family, work and station in life. The main goal in Confucian thought is to live a moral and responsible and fruitful life within this context.

2. Education: learn your past, your culture, your history, great heroes, sages.

3. Cultivate goodness and good practice. Become a Chuntzu: a good role model. Lead by example.

4 Ritual . that shows respect for ancestors and others in societal roles. “He who does not know the rites, cannot make his stand.”.

5. Don’t lead society by force or fear ; use example, ritual, and encouraging . (Ideally, we would need no laws: very optimistic).

• Ren (jen) - virtue– Negative formulation: Confucius’ Silver Rule from the

Analects:

– Positive formulation: cultivation of feeling (respect, empathy, compassion, love, reciprocity ) for all humanity

Central themes in Confucianethical theory:The Chun-Tzu -

the ideal of the Superior (self-actualized, virtuous, perfected) Person

Filial Piety (Xiao, Hsiao)

(devotion to & reverence for parents & family)The institution of the family is

the foundation of a well-ordered & civilized society (grounded mainly on respect of children for parents)

Respect for age (experience & wisdom)

Confucian ethics / Li, continued

Religious Proprietyproper practice of traditional rites(worship of God, ancestors, Heaven, Earth, spirits; funeral services & sacrifices in honor of parents)

Confucian ethics / Li, continued

Tomb of Confucius, Qufu.

Modern examples from Western culture:

1. Demeanor is important. Imagine a wedding were the bride and groom repeated there vows without any emotion or involvement.

2. The routine response to a sneeze “God bless you” is an example of Li. It seems trivial, but indicates concern for the person. Good habits have good effects.

Li chi , or The Book of Rites , catalogs the many rituals that make up ancient Chinese life.

Yi - righteousness, just and appropriate conduct.

Confucianists, believe that there is an objective, absolute, and unconditional moral obligation on all of us to work for universal human well-being (the common good, the general welfare, which will include one's own true good):\

Li - Propriety (proper conduct)

The Rectification of Names (Zheng-ming) (proper use of language)

The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong)

The Five Constant Relationships:◦parent-child◦husband-wife◦elder sibling-

younger sibling◦elder friend-

younger friend◦ruler-subject

Confucian ethics, continued

Wen (learning & the arts)

The importance of culture in the creation & maintenance of a well-ordered society

Confucian ethics (& aesthetics?), continued

(Confucius composed a “Book of Music” [Yueh Jing], which is sometimes referred to as a “sixth classic.”)

Studying & learning

The arts - especially music

Confucius’s primary goal:order, harmony, peace, & happiness in this life here on earth

He had only a secondary interest in “transcendental” salvation, and avoided speculating about the gods, heaven, the nature of the soul and the creation of the world.

Confucianism (550 BC) summarized Humanism: a term from the

European renaissance/reformation that states that man (rather than God/gods) should be the center of our view of the world.

Confucianism is essentially humanistic: human relationships are the key to virtue, happiness, a good life and a good society.

Li = the rules of social order. No li, no peace.

The mandate of heaven = how things are meant to be.Rulers must win the mandate of heaven.

Lose it and they will fail, the kingdom will suffer and fall from power

Confucianism has a positive view of human nature. It just has to be nurtured properly. How?

1. The Rectification of Names

2. The 5 Great Relationships

3. Ritual 4. Education

The Grand Harmony