Chinese Primary Source Analysis

Confucius was China’s first moral philosopher, and his ideas influence people all over the world even in the present day. Confucianism is a philosophy, a political ideology, and a way of life. Confucius had many followers, two of which are especially significant and would continue his teachings long after his death. These two were called Mencius and Xunzi(Xun Kuang). However, even though they would continue to spread his ideas throughout the realm, they also developed nuanced and differing viewpoints from each other and that also differed from the teachings of Confucius himself. Their individual perspectives are each outlined in their own writings.

Confucianism was one of the philosophies that was one solution to create a peace to society. Confucius was the founder of Confucianism, who was known to be ancient China’s first great thinker and teacher. He felt that the Chinese people needed a sense of duty. Furthermore, a duty means that these people should do what others and the community need before they complete their own needs for themselves. In this philosophy, there was the Golden Rule, which was, “Do unto others as you would have unto to you.” Moreover, the rule means people should treat others the way they want to be treated. This philosopher’s sayings

His focus is on the developing of an organized society, he uses religious beliefs and a political system. His other focus is on teaching the youth and gentleman the wisdom and selflessness with rituals and music, while establishing an honest character. In our text book it explains the significant aspects of what Confucius thinks. The focus on the Li which “a sense of propriety, which called for individuals to behave in conventionally appropriate fashion.”(Traditions

Confucius taught many basic and important principles in the areas of social and political philosophy. His collected teachings where known as the “Analects”. The two general ideas of his teaching are called Jen and Li. Jen, stands for humane or humanity, which includes the idea of how man is different from other living things because of the sense of dignity and respect for others. Li, stands for the principle of gain and what people gain when they spent time and interact with one another. Other ideologies from Confucius are the ability to know right from wrong, the importance in honoring your parents and family and the understanding of authority when it is used to improve situations.

Confucian is a tradition that plays a part of East Asia which extends from China across Korea and Japan. If only one word can be used to summarize the Chinese way of life for the las 2000 years is Confucian (Hoobler, 2009). It is not consider a religion, instead it is considered as a cultural foundation. Confucian came about from Confucius who was born in 551 BC who became a teacher and philosopher. His teachings dealt primarily with individual morality, political power and ethics. After observing the crumbling of China social system he worked on creating a

Confucianism, or as Steven Prothero titled it in his book, The Way of Propriety, was founded by Confucius. Confucius regards himself as a transmitter of ancient truths rather than an inventor of new ones. Confucius studied hard and used his expertise to gain him a job as a private teacher in China. With his diverse background in ritual, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, mathematics, poetry, history, and music, Confucius passed his knowledge to students who tried and become an example person (junzi), by learning to tend to human heartedness (ren), and rituals/propriety (li). Confucius is considered to be one of the five most influential people ever recorded in history. His words and deeds among the most influential books as well. Giving us his Golden rule, “Do not impose on others what you do not desire.” (Prothero 102), he showed us that real knowledge is

• 551-478 BCE: Confucius lived his life devoted to teaching o He traveled through China preaching his ideas of political virtue and good government o He believed in a divine order and saw himself as a spokesman for Chinese tradition o He thought if people could be taught to emphasize personal virtue then a solid political life would naturally result o List of virtues stressed respect for one’s social superiors o According to him moderation in behavior, veneration of custom and ritual, and a love of wisdom should characterize the leaders of society at all levels • Confucianism- a system of ethics, “ do unto others as your status and theirs dictate”, and a plea for loyalty to the community • Confucian doctrine was recorded in a book called the Analects and was revived under the Han emperors • Confucian learning along with traditional literary works was incorporated into the training of aspiring bureaucrats • Problems Confucius set out to fix were approached through an emphasis on individual virtuous behavior, both by the ruler and the ruled • He built into his own system the links among many levels of authority that came to characterize larger Chinese politics at their best • It also emphasized personal restraint and the careful socialization of

“if I am walking with two other men, each of them serve as my teacher. I will pick out the good points of the one and imitate them, and bad points of the other correct them in myself “(Confucius), the words of a teacher, philosopher, and political theorist. Confucius the founder of Confucianism original name was Qiu Kong he was born 551B.C. in Qu Fu State, Lu. Confucius was born at a time when legalism laws were being implemented government. In his teens he was determined to learn about historical events. Confucius knew the importance of education, while in his 20’s he found the right master to teach him the six arts: ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and arithmetic (Encyclopedia). After gaining all his knowledge he begins

“Confucianism sought to establish norms for all aspects for Chinese life, from relationships within the family that stressed respect for one’s elders to the importance of art, music, and elegant calligraphy in the cultivation of scholar-bureaucrats.” Confucius was a philosopher, whom lived in the late 6th century B.C.E. who after being rejected for a high post in the Kingdom of Lu’s bureaucracy left the kingdom in search for a ruler would recognize his talents and grant him a position. He believed that some superior men were destined to govern and set a precedent for common man and that these men were not born superior but were made because of their education and training. He also believed that they should not be given power to set themselves

Arthur Jacques Gerent’s work reveals Confucianism as a perfectly harmonious society, which is only achieved by a ritual behavior of good man, pursing their education and self-knowledge, having respect for the elders who are in power. Good behavior is the mostly the only thing that Confucius mainly focused on. “It is also true, in public morality, under the Han the accent was put on the virtue of submission to one elder’s and on respect for the classification of people according to their age”. There was so much hostility toward the merchant people, this cause problems for the Chinese society. This hostility caused so much profound effects in the city state, which gave the Chinese their own character. Gerent states that “the deepest reasons

Confucius also known as “Kong Qui” or “The Master” was born September 28, 551 B.C. and died in the year of 479 B.C. in the Lu State of China. During The Master’s time he was many things including: a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. He is also the founder of Confucianism, which is composed of political and moral doctrines with the teachings of Confucius as its basis. At 1860 CE when European Christians had entered China, Confucianism seemed to be the creation, and was set out formerly to label their notion of the non-christian religions they came across in China. The ideology of Confucius indicated personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships,

Confucianism has been known to be the binding factor for much of China’s history. Though the founder of Confucianism has no official title or record, the inspiration of these teachings, Confucius, was the guiding factor for change in China set forth by his understanding of environment and needs of his country’s future. Due to the acceptance and immersion of Confucianism with in the Chinese culture, much of Confucius’ teachings has found themselves religiously embedded in its entirety, not only within day-to-day life, but with the political and holistic venues.

As Confucius' philosophy still remains in the heart of many Chinese people, his images of

As we all know, Confucius was the founder of Chinese Confucian culture, and he also is the most representative Confucian thinker in China. Qufu is the hometown of Confucius, the place where he founded and promoted traditional Confucianism.

For example, he cared much about being respectful and loyal to one’s parents. Also, he defended that women must be obedient towards their husband, and men must protect their wives. Another Confucian family ritual is to value children, and to care about the word of the elderly women in family. These are the examples of Confucian family rituals, and these rituals were already existed in Chinese family system before Confucius, too. Confucius expressed these traditions in a clear and impressive way. As a result of this, the Confucian family rituals have reached up to the present day , and they are still being complied today. Women and men are still expected to be respectful and protective, children are still highly valued, and elderly are still powerful within in the family today in China. In conclusion, the family system of China today was organized by Confucius, and his teachings of family rituals are the rituals that has been used before Confucius, by the time of Confucius, and after him up to