Confucius China before Confucius z Zhou Dynasty 1027
Confucius
China before Confucius z. Zhou Dynasty – 1027 BCE - 256 BCE y. Western Zhou (1046 -771) x. Feudal system of lords, vassals & fiefs y. Eastern Zhou/Warring States Period (771 -221) x. No unified political system
Confucius z 551 BCE - 479 BCE
Confucianism z. Concerned primarily with restoring social stability and order z. What is the basis of a stable, unified, and enduring social order? a system of social and ethical philosophy “only when character is cultivated are our families regulated; only when families are regulated are states well governed”
Confucianism z Secular, humanist z 3 Confucian values: yxiao - filial piety yli - ritual yren - humaneness
xiao
Li zrites, ceremonies, proper behavior
Ren
Five relationships zfather-child zruler-subject zhusband-wife zelder brother-younger brother zfriend-friend What are the 3 organizing principles of these relationships? Status, age, gender
Women & Confucianism z“Woman's greatest duty is to produce a son. "
Sayings from the Analects z Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows. z Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake. z The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others. z To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.
Confucianism in Ancient China zpersecuted in Qin Dynasty y 221 B. C. - 206 B. C. zpromoted during the Han dynasty and beyond
Confucianism in Ancient China zbecame key to orthodox state ideology zreinforced by the civil examination system y“keju”: civil examination yfrom 605 CE to 1905 CE
Taoism z Tao Te Ching or Daodejing (The Way & the Power) establishes Taoist (Daoist) philosophy in China z Tao – a force that flows through all life (nature); goal is to become one with Tao (follow the way) z Te – one’s natural ability to peak by following the ‘way’
z Philosophy emphasizes: y. Naturalness –let nature guide you y. Spontaneity y. Individual Freedom y. Simplicity y. Wu-wei – active non-action; use least amount of effort to get things done; go with the flow!
Man is unhappy because he lives according to man-made laws, customs & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature So… Ignore political and social laws Reject formal knowledge and learning Discover the nature and “rhythm” of the universe Rely on the senses and instincts
Legalism z. Legalists: advisers to rulers looking to strengthen their states zcould be achieved by regulating every aspect of people’s lives through laws & punishments z legalist advisers were most influential in state of Qin
Shi Huangdi & Legalism z. A prince in Qin, became the 1 st emperor z. Many things achieved under Qin rule, but it was short-lived z. Lesson learned? Force can unify but it is limited; need to emphasize morality over law for stability
How is a person to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity? ? Confucianism --> Moral order in society Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid uniformity and conformity Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order
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