Confucianism
SLMS/08
A man named Confucius lived between 551—479 BCE toward
the end of the Zhou Dynasty. He lived during a time known as
the Hundred Schools period — which was so named because of
all the different ‘schools of thought’ that developed in that
time. It represented a flowering of Chinese philosophy, as both
Legalism & Taoism developed alongside Confucianism.
Confucianism
Political Situation in Confucius’ Time
•The Zhou Dynasty technically ruled
China from 1122 BCE - 256 BCE (the
longest lasting Dynasty
in Chinese history). In reality, Zhou rule began to
break down around 700
BCE, as local warlords
became powerful and began calling themselves
“kings”. The time period
from 475 - 256 BCE was actually
known as the “warring states” period because of all the fighting and
civil strife between the warlords.
•The Zhou had developed a ruling
idea known as the ‘Mandate of
Heaven’. It suggested that heaven or
the gods had given them the right to
rule.
•Confucius lived at a time, however,
when the Zhou’s centralized authority was rapidly disintegrating. He
frequently reflected back on early
Zhou rule, and how it not only provided political stability, but social
stability as well.
•Confucius developed a philosophy
that provided and integrated both
political and social order.
•Confucius’ ideas can be found in The Analects of
Confucius, a book not written by Confucius, but
compiled by his students after his death.
•Confucianism is not considered a religion, per se, but it is a philosophy that
has had a tremendous social impact,
similar to the impact of a religion. Thus,
is often discussed and taught as a religious type of philosophy.
•At the core of Confucius’ ideas is the need for
order — social and political order, and Confucius
believed that the family was just a microcosm (a
miniature representation) of the larger political
state. The relationships found in the family were
similar to the relationships found between the
government and its people. The Emperor was like
the father — both were in a position
of leadership and responsibility.
•Additionally, Confucius noted that as
the family went, so went the state. In
other words, if the family was peaceful and harmonious, the state would
be as well. A peaceful society begins
in the family. And if there were goodness and respect in relationships, the society would benefit.
•Key in Confucius’ teachings was the concept
that everyone had a role to play — perhaps several roles — within the family and within society
at large. It was essential that people maintained
their proper role.
Confucius’ Five Relationships
Confucius’ Three Virtues
•Confucius identified five relationships
that were key to social and political order.
They were: 1) Ruler to people, 2) Father to
son, 3) Husband to wife, 4) Older brother
to younger brother, 5) Friend to friend. The
most important relationship is that of parent to child, or father to son. If that relationship was harmonious and in order, all
other relationships would fall into place.
•In each of the five relationships (with the possible exception of friend to friend),
there existed a superior or
older figure, and an inferior or
younger figure. Both figures had responsibilities to each other.
•The superior figure was to care for and
provide an example for the inferior figure.
The inferior figure was to show respect
for, and be obedient to, the superior figure.
•This respect is often referred to as ‘filial
piety’ — a love & respect for one’s parents
or ancestors. The behaviors of the inferior
figure could be seen as a reflection (good
or bad) of the superior figure. Rebellious, disobedient children were
an embarrassment and a dishonor
to the father and family.
•It should be noted that if the superior figure was abusive or following a blatantly wrong course of action,
the inferior figure was to correct or to give
advice to the superior figure.
•One of Confucius’ followers, Mencius, took
Confucius’ ideas and incorporated them
into the Zhou idea of ‘Mandate of Heaven’.
He suggested that the Emperor, as a superior figure, had a responsibility to his subjects. If he did not protect and provide for
his subjects, he could be overthrown by
those subjects.
•Li
Li - ritual, etiquette, rules of behavior.
Confucius said it was important to practice ancestral rites and rituals, and to behave with proper etiquette in society.
•Yi
Yi - righteousness, what is ethically best
to do in a certain context. Confucius defined this as doing the right thing for the
right reason — and that reason should be a
consideration for what was best for the
whole, not the self.
•Ren
Ren - benevolence, humaneness, goodness. Confucius said that this was the
most important virtue, and it should be a
goal to develop one’s ren so that it could
intuitively guide your actions.
The Silver Rule:
“Never impose on others what you would
not choose for yourself.”
-Confucius
Impact of Confucianism?
•A major impact has been the Chinese value of education. Confucius
put great emphasis on the importance of
study and of thinking deeply for one’s self.
He argued that it was essential that government leaders be highly educated.
•China developed a sophisticated civil service exam for government officials based
on Confucian thought.
•The concept of ‘filial piety’ has remained
historically strong in China. Not only do
children rarely oppose parents’ wishes, but
China has historically been a very patriarchal society (as suggested by Confucius’
relationships).
•Confucianism has provided the basis for
social values, structure & order in China
for more than 2,500 years! Proper behavior, responsibility & respect remain key
values.
Global History
Confucianism
Name ___________________________________
7. Confucianism: religion or philosophy?
1. What are the dates of Confucius? What
other religions/philosophies were being de- Explain.
veloped between 600-500 BCE?
8. What is at the core of Confucius’ ideas?
2. What was the Hundred Schools Period?
9. How does he view the family?
3. Describe Zhou rule from 700 BCE onward.
4. What was the ‘Mandate of Heaven’?
10. How does the family impact society?
5. What was Confucius’ philosophy designed 11. Do you agree with him? Why/not?
to do?
6. What is the book which contains Confucian ideas?
12. What are the 5 key relationships? Which
is most important? Why?
13. Describe the role of:
a. Superior -
16. Confucian Virtues:
a.
b.
b. Inferior -
c.
14. What is ‘filial piety’?
17. Silver rule?
15. How did Mencius incorporate Confucian
ideas into the Mandate of Heaven?
18. Impact of Confucianism?
Analysis:
Analysis
19. How would Confucius evaluate American society today? (Please include what he would
point to as problems, what the sources of those problems might be, and what he might
suggest as solutions.)
Global History
Confucianism Key
1. What are the dates of Confucius? What
other religions/philosophies were being developed between 600-500 BCE?
Confucius lived between 551—479 BCE.
Both Legalism & Taoism developed alongside Confucianism.
Name ___________________________________
pact of a religion.
8. What is at the core of Confucius’ ideas?
At the core of Confucius’ ideas is the need
for order — social and political order.
9. How does he view the family?
2. What was the Hundred Schools Period?
Confucius believed that the family was just
The Hundred Schools period was so named a microcosm (a miniature representation) of
because of all the different ‘schools of
the larger political state. The relationships
thought’ that developed in that time. It rep- found in the family were similar to the relaresented a flowering of Chinese philosophy. tionships found between the government
and its people.
3. Describe Zhou rule from 700 BCE onward.
10. How does the family impact society?
Zhou rule began to break down around 700 Confucius noted that as the family went, so
BCE, as local warlords became powerful and went the state. In other words, if the family
began calling themselves “kings”. The time
was peaceful and harmonious, the state
period from 475 - 256 BCE was actually
would be as well. A peaceful society begins
known as the “warring states” period bein the family. And if there were goodness
and respect in relationships, the society
cause of all the fighting and civil strife between the warlords.
would benefit.
4. What was the ‘Mandate of Heaven’?
11. Do you agree with him? Why/not?
The “Mandate” suggested that heaven or the Answers will definitely vary. Just make sure
gods had given them the right to rule.
students justify their answers with facts,
explanation and/or details!
5. What was Confucius’ philosophy designed
to do?
12. What are the 5 key relationships? Which
His philosophy was designed to provide and is most important? Why?
integrate both political and social order.
1) Ruler to people, 2) Father to son, 3) Husband to wife, 4) Older brother to younger
6. What is the book which contains Confu- brother, 5) Friend to friend. The most imporcian ideas?
tant relationship is that of parent to child, or
father to son. If that relationship was harThe Analects of Confucius
monious and in order, all other relationships
7. Confucianism: religion or philosophy?
would fall into place.
Explain.
Confucianism is not considered a religion,
per se, but it is a philosophy that has had a
tremendous social impact, similar to the im-
13. Describe the role of:
16. Confucian Virtues:
a. Superior - the superior figure was to
a. Li - ritual, etiquette, rules of behavior.
care for and provide an example for the infe- Confucius said it was important to practice
rior figure
ancestral rites and rituals, and to behave
with proper etiquette in society.
b. Inferior - the inferior figure was to show
respect for, and be obedient to, the superior
b. Yi - righteousness, what is ethically best
to do in a certain context. Confucius defined
figure
this as doing the right thing for the right
14. What is ‘filial piety’?
reason
A love & respect for one’s parents or ancesc. Ren - benevolence, humaneness, goodtors. The behaviors of the inferior figure
ness. Confucius said that this was the most
could be seen as a reflection (good or bad) of important virtue
the superior figure. Rebellious, disobedient
children were an embarrassment and a dis- 17. Silver rule?
honor to the father and family.
“Never impose on others what you would
not choose for yourself.”
15. How did Mencius incorporate Confucian
ideas into the Mandate of Heaven?
18. Impact of Confucianism?
He suggested that the Emperor had a reThe value of education, the civil service
sponsibility to his subjects. If he did not pro- exam, the reluctance to defy the wishes of
tect and provide for his subjects, he could be parents, and overall proper behavior!
overthrown by those subjects.
Analysis:
Analysis
19. How would Confucius evaluate American society today? (Please include what he would
point to as problems, what the sources of those problems might be, and what he might
suggest as solutions.)
Answers will vary, however, regardless of anyone’s personal feelings, students should identify the fact that Confucius would be appalled by American society. The break-up of the
family (through divorce or through single parenthood) would seriously alarm him. In his
mind, the worst possible thing would be for children (sons, specifically) to grow up without
proper supervision or proper role models (which frequently happens in single parent
homes.)
Student answers might vary as to the source of the problem but might include the media,
low minimum wage, welfare, or societal acceptance of the problem. (Or the fact that society does not see this as a problem… )
His suggested solutions? It may be distasteful to today’s students, but Confucius would
probably ban divorce, and would advocate polygamy. He might also be an advocate of
early female engagement or marriage (to stop teen pregnancy).
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