Confucianism

CONFUCIAN PHILOSOPHY

A. KUNG FU ZI
Master Kung, Confucius 551-479 B.C.E.

B. TEACHINGS Man’s relations with other men

1. referred to a golden age of the past (Zhou) as source of legitimacy

2. Junzi gentleman or noble man as an ideal change from social aristocrat to moral ideal

3. Virtues

a. ren - humanity (goodness)

b. li - courtesy, etiquette

c. yi - uprightness, honesty

d. zhi - knowledge (moral wisdom)

e. xin - faithfulness, integrity

f. zhong - steadfastness, loyalty

g. filial piety

4. Five Basic Relationships

a. King - subject (lord - servant)

b. Father - sons

c. elder brother - younger brother

d. friend - friend (mentor)

e. husband - wife

5. Social Stratification Classes

a. sage kings and ministers = order

b. peasants = food

c. craftsmen = goods

d. merchants = trade

e. soldiers = defense (death, destruction)

6. Five Classics Pre-Confucius

a. Book of Changes Yi Jing hexagrams, divination

b. Book of History Shu Jing

c. Book of Odes or songs Shi Jing

d. Book of ritual Li Ji

e. Spring and Autumn Annals Chunqiu

7. Four Books Post -Confucius

a Great Learning Da Xue, self cultivation

b. Mean Jung Yung, moderation in conduct

c. Analects Lun Yu, collection of sayings and incidents in Kung’s life

d. Mencius, sayings of Confucius‘ greatest successor

8. Six Arts:

Rites (ritual & rules), Music, Archery, Chariot riding, History, Mathematics

A Confucian gentlemen should have mastered these these in addition to poetry.

C. MOZI ( Mo Tzu 470-393 B.C. Universal Love, all men are basically
good

D. LEGALISM

1. Totalitarian State

2. Rule of Law