The Life and Legacy of Confucius

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The Life and Legacy of Confucius

• Born in 551B.C.E. to a noble but poor family.
• Confucius died in 479 B. C. E.
• Confucius was an exceptional student who later
  became a teacher and a government official.

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Confucius

• Born in 551 B.C.
• died in 479 B.C.

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Confucianism

• Concerned primarily with restoring social
  stability and order
• What is the basis of a stable, unified, and
  enduring social order?
• a system of social and ethical philosophy-

NOT A RELIGION
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Confucianism

• 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.- Confucius

How do you cultivate ones character?
EDUCATION
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Human Qualities

• What is maturity?
• What is the highest human virtue?
• What is the best way to behave?
• How can one be a cultured person?
• How can one best govern?

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Confuciuss Solution

• Confuciuss solutions centered on human
  relationships and drew from the sages of ancient
  times.
• At the time of his death, Confucius was
  considered a failure.
• However, his influence in China and around the
  world continues to this day.

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The Analects of Confucius

• The single most important Confucian work.
• In Chinese, it means conversation.
• Focus on practicalities of interpersonal
  relationships and the relationship of the role
  of rulers and ministers to the conduct of
  government.

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The Analects of Confucius

• What the gentleman demands is something of
  himself. What the petty man demands is something
  of others.
• Anyone learning without thought is lost, anyone
  thinking but not learning is in peril.

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The Analects of Confucius

• Knowing what he knows and knowing what he
  doesnt know, is characteristics of the person
  who knows.
• Making a mistake and not correcting it, is
  making another mistake.
• The superior man blames himself the inferior
  man blames others.
• To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

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Confucianism
The gentleman agrees with others without being
an echo. The small man echoes without being in
agreement. Analects 15.30 If one is guided by
profits in ones actions, one will incur much ill
will. Analects 14.24
Never kiss a fool, or be fooled by a kiss.
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Three Schools of Thought

• Legalists Stern rule of law and harsh
  punishments
• Mohist universal love, even towards enemies.
• Taoist cared little about societal improvement
  and believed that the path to human happiness lay
  in the individualistic pursuit of harmony with
  nature.

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5 Principle Relationships
1. Ruler
Subject
2. Father
Son
3. Husband
Wife
4. Older Brother
YoungerBrother
5. Older Friend
YoungerFriend
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Human Relationships

• Self the center of all relationships and is
  constantly changing and growing towards maturity.
• Family each person has a clear sense of place
  and purpose. Good behavior and respect for elders
  are important in the family.
• Government the leader has acquired the moral
  perfectionm needed to lead by the power of
  example.
• Heaven represents the ultimate moral force that
  guides and nurtures humanity.