Aim: to what extent does Confucianism attempt to bring order to society?

Confucianism

Where?

Founder

• When?

• Whom?

• Confucius

• (K’ung-fu-tzu)

• (551-479 BCE)

Was there a founder?

Confucianism

• His teachings were later refined and spread by Mencius (Meng Tzu).Ironically Mencius is probably more responsible for the spread of Confucianism than… Confucius.

Background to Confucianism

• Dynastic warfare and division broke out in the Zhou Dynasty (+/- 1000 BCE – 256 BCE) starting in 771 BCE and lasting until 221 BCE.

• China was ravaged by chaos and disorder during a time period known as the Warring States.

• How could one establish order in society?• By utilizing a moral philosophy by which people could live their lives.

•One that stressed order

Five Relationships• Husband and wife

• Parent and child (Filial Piety)

• Elder and younger brother, or generally of elders and youngsters

• Ruler and Minister or subject

• Friend and friend.

Taken from The Analects

• How might the Five Relationships help

establish order in society?

Texts• The Analects (a

total of twenty books): The thoughts and sayings of Confucius, including conversations between the master and his pupils.

• The Five Classics (books) collected after Confucius’ death during the Zhou Dynasty and considered to be great examples of Confucian thinking.

• Why would such a philosophy make sense during a time of political anarchy and why might political rulers (Emperors etc.) really like this philosophy?

• The answer isn’t going to fly in from the right. Think!

FIN