Confucian Virtueue

Upon analyzing the Analects, we can describe filial piety as “not being disobedient” (Koh, 366). One’s filial duties are clearly defined by Confucius and how to accomplish this is a large part of the text. According to Koh Eung-Kang, filial duty is departmentalized into three separate categories: mental care, physical care, and care after death (366). This special care can be interpreted as the concept of benevolence which was listed above as one of the five virtues, where familial care holds more weight than emotional attachment. Today, benevolence is still held in the highest regard, and children are still expected to do their filial duty and care for their parents. This is evident by the lack of nursing homes in Korea. Grandparents are expected to live with their children until the end of their natural lives. (Koh, Eun-Kang, Koh, Chin-Kang 2008:

Confucianism had a positive impact on China because it increased social stability. Confucianism is a philosophy which focused on everyday problems and the relationships between people. It’s main goal was to restore peace, harmony and social order. Confucius is the creator of Confucianism believed that societies like China had lost touch traditions and morals so he made the concept “filial piety” which stressed “respect for ones parents, elders, and ancestors… bring a good name to ones parents and ancestors… he believed that if everyone respected, their family, was obedient, and worked hard to bring honor to their families name”. (Document 1).

Ever since, I wondered whether this impression was correct. The goal of this thesis is to satisfy this curiosity and to determine, through textual and visual analyses, if the 1986 television series also carries a Confucian message, or whether it was solely produced for entertainment purposes. This leads to the following research question:

Han China (206 B.C.E. – 220 C.E.), and Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E. – 476 C.E.), were powerful and influential civilizations whose fall had an everlasting impact on society. The inability to protect borders and corrupt officials led to the fall of Han China and Imperial Rome. Unlike the Han, Christianity tore Rome apart while Confucianism united China.

Confucianism is important in health care in Japan. In the code of ethics, there is a principal called “filial piety” in which it becomes the duty of the child or children to care for

One of the most influential people during classical China was Confucius and his belief system of Confucianism. There are many reasons why Confucianism rose among the other belief systems to become one of the superior and most widespread in classical China. First and most obviously, Confucianism made its success with the birth of Confucius in 551 BCE who is the author and creator of all the content in Confucianism. More seriously now, knowing the fact that Confucius and Confucianism was created during the Zhou dynasty the reasons for Confucianism at that time seemed mandatory. During the Zhou dynasty, the Chinese government was incredibly weak due to the numerous betrayals and the instability of the alliance system created by the Zhou leaders.

Confucianism and Daoism affected the social structure of early China through culture, education, and government though the effects varied greatly between these two beliefs. Culture in China is different due to the teachings of Confucianism that began when Confucius was age twenty three, as well as the teachings of Daoism because both teachings believed in harmony and living tranquilly. Education was shaped by Daoism and Confucianism for the reason that Confucians believed everyone should be educated while Daosits thought it was irrelevant. Since Confucius lived in a time of political unrest from 551 to 478 B.C.E., he worked to gain political stability whereas the Daosits were indifferent on that issue. Culture was impacted by Daoism and Confucianism because the teachings that were proclaimed, breached on the topic of living a harmonious life filled with respect for one another.

Jen is a central value of Confucianism, sincere, forgive, attention to the Forbearance. Jen is the most basic virtue, reached by self-cultivation. Confucian Doctrine of Beauty and treat the person has two aspects, cultivating the most fundamental, is the starting point of Confucianism, "for oneself" of the school. A gentleman is a moral person, the highest state is benevolent. Confucius highest realm of human individuals is a potential saint, in fact, never-ending learning sanctification, saint realm unattainable. Gentleman can learn poetry and six arts, practice is essential and can practice, learned in the text, and know more news, in order to practice morality. Gentleman should both benevolence and courtesy, in order to practice benevolence,

Confucianism has easily been influential in the development of the Chinese state through history. In fact, the core ideals of Confucianism have evolved. Despite the harsh repression of Confucianism by Marxist revolutionaries during the second half of the twentieth century, Confucian values continues to be influential in Chinese society and recently, Confucian political philosophy has resurfaced again. In addition, the political ideas and social ethics of Confucianism can provide the basis for a new, functional form of government in China. Confucianism can be a viable political philosophy for China in the twenty first century because many intellectuals have turned to Confucianism to make sense of such social

The three main philosophies of China helped shape early Chinese civilization; Mandate of Heaven, Confucianism, and Legalism. The Mandate of Heaven was a belief that the Emperor was sufficiently virtuous to rule. This explained the legitimacy of rulers. Confucianism was a philosophy created by Confucius, hoping it would lead to a more stable state in the society. As a philosophy believed longest, Confucianism provided basic foundation for moral, social, and politic norm for Chinese society. Legalism, developed by Han Fei, intended to bring strength and unity of the nation by emphasizing strong punishments and reward, tradition, and family. Legalism introduced clear laws and bureaucratic government. Overall, between the time period from 221 BCE to 618CE, change was shown in Legalism over time, while continuity was shown in Confucianism and Mandate of Heaven.

When Western people think of Confucianism, they often think of it in a past sense- as something only relevant to ancient China that cannot be applied to modern day society. However, what these people fail to realize is that Confucianism’s roots have been so integrated into China’s society that the values have become a part of every day life. Without having to explicitly state that they are following specifics aspects of Confucianism, most Chinese people submit to them, often times unknowingly. However, Confucian values not only exist in the Chinese society, but also permeate into other areas of Chinese culture such as architecture and aspects of Feng-Shui.

Confucius was born in an impoverished family. Throughout his childhood he was very eager to learn so his mother fostered that. He had several small positions in government in his home state, Lu. He was the first ever teacher/educationalist in the history of China. His teachings found in the Analects, discusses ethical modules family, politics, economy, and more. In his teachings he promotes humanness (ren), ritual propriety (li), and the developing of exemplary persons (Junzi). (Li pg. 87)

When looking at the ideas of Confucianism, one must look at the values that he expresses that are essential to human beings in order to become gentleman. Some of these values are present in every society and in every country. Ideas like jen and the Golden Rule are indispensable to life in almost every society on the globe.

One of the most famous people in ancient China was a wise philosopher named Confucius (circa

The concept of human nature is somewhat debated in Confucianism and its followers. In the absence of a personal or supernatural god in this belief system, the question of whether someone is inherently good or evil does not have the same importance as it does otherwise. For example, Christians believe that they are created with sin and must create a certain form of relationship with their god to live a moral life. However, without such a personal god, the focus is more on human behavior than and sort of dogmatic debate. In fact, Confucius hardly ever touches on this issue but noted that "by nature men are similar; by practice men are wide apart" (Confucius, N.d.).