|
Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of Confucius (551?479 BC). It focuses on human morality and right action. And it is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia.
Confucianism stress the importance of education for moral development of the individual so that the state can be governed by moral virtue rather than by the use of coercive laws.
Elements of Confucianism teaching:
Etiquette: include secular ceremonial behavior, and eventually referred also to the propriety or politeness in everyday life. In Confucianism, the acts of everyday life are considered ritual/etiquette.
Relationship: Relationships are central to Confucianism. Particular duties arise from ones particular situation in relation to others. The individual stands simultaneously in several different relationships with different people: as a junior in relation to parents and elders, and as a senior in relation to younger siblings, students, and others. While juniors are considered in Confucianism to owe their seniors reverence, seniors also have duties of benevolence and concern toward juniors. This theme of mutuality is prevalent in East Asian cultures even to this day.
Social harmony?the great goal of Confucianism?therefore results in part from every individual knowing his or her place in the social order, and playing his or her part well.
Filial piety: considered among the greatest of virtues and must be shown towards both the living and the dead. The term "filial" (meaning "of a child") characterizes the respect that a child, originally a son, should show to his parents. This relationship was extended by analogy to a series of five relationships:
1. Ruler to Subject
2. Father to Son
3. Husband to Wife
4. Elder Brother to Younger Brother
5.Friend to Friend (equal relationship)
Loyalty: is the equivalent of filial piety on a different plane. Loyalty was also an extension of ones duties to friends, family, and spouse. Loyalty to ones family came first, then to ones spouse, then to ones ruler, and lastly to ones friends. Loyalty was considered one of the greater human virtues.
Humanity: Confucius was concerned with people's individual development, which he maintained took place within the context of human relationships. Ritual and filial piety are indeed the ways in which one should act towards others, but from an underlying attitude of humaneness. Confucius' concept of humaneness is probably best expressed as the Golden Rule: "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others."
Confucius believed that man was born good while other eastern philosophies believed man was born with sin.
R?n also has a political dimension. If the ruler lacks Rena, Confucianism holds, it will be difficult if not impossible for his subjects to behave humanely. R?n is the basis of Confucian political theory: it presupposes an autocratic ruler, exhorted to refrain from acting inhumanely towards his subjects. An inhumane ruler runs the risk of losing the right to rule. A ruler lacking such a mandate need not be obeyed. But a ruler who reigns humanely and takes care of the people is to be obeyed strictly, for the benevolence of his dominion shows that he has been mandated by heaven. Confucius himself had little to say on the will of the people, but his leading follower Mencius did state on one occasion that the people's opinion on certain weighty matters should be considered.
Tao predates Confucianism, and the main emphasis of Tao is to be in harmony with nature. Hence, Confucius' teachings are in accordance with the Way/Tao.
|
What are important aspects of Taoism and Confucianism?
