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Confucius and Confucianism Confucius lived in Confucius lived in the latter part of the latter part of the Spring and Autumn the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC). Period(770-479BC). Confucius was a Confucius was a philosopher, philosopher, political political thinker and thinker and educator of ancient educator of ancient China, whose China, whose influence is still influence is still felt across the felt across the world. world.

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Page 1: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Confucius and Confucianism

Confucius lived in the Confucius lived in the latter part of the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).Period(770-479BC).

Confucius was a Confucius was a philosopher, political philosopher, political

thinker and educator thinker and educator of ancient China, of ancient China, whose influence is still whose influence is still felt across the world.felt across the world.

Page 2: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

《论语》 Analects of Confucius

Lun Yu,Lun Yu, or the or the Analects of ConfuciusAnalects of Confucius, records the words , records the words and deeds of Confucius as well as those of his disciples. and deeds of Confucius as well as those of his disciples. The book was compiled by the disciples of Confucius The book was compiled by the disciples of Confucius after their Master’s death. It covers a wide variety of after their Master’s death. It covers a wide variety of subjects, ranging from subjects, ranging from politics, philosophy, literature and politics, philosophy, literature and art to education and moral cultivationart to education and moral cultivation. It is indispensable . It is indispensable material for the study of the Master’s thought.material for the study of the Master’s thought.

In a In a conversational styleconversational style, the book, rich in content but , the book, rich in content but laconic and clear in language, is profound and laconic and clear in language, is profound and understandable.understandable.

Page 3: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Analects of Confucius

子曰:“学而时习之,不亦说乎?有朋自远方子曰:“学而时习之,不亦说乎?有朋自远方来,不亦乐乎?人不知,而不愠,不亦君子来,不亦乐乎?人不知,而不愠,不亦君子乎?”乎?”

Confucius said, “Is it not a pleasure after all to Confucius said, “Is it not a pleasure after all to practice in due time what one has learnt? Is it not a practice in due time what one has learnt? Is it not a delight after all to have friends come from afar? Is delight after all to have friends come from afar? Is it not a gentleman after all who will not take it not a gentleman after all who will not take offence when others fail to appreciate him?”offence when others fail to appreciate him?”

Page 4: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

子曰:“吾十有五而志于学,三十而立,四十子曰:“吾十有五而志于学,三十而立,四十而不惑,五十而知天命,六十而耳顺,七十而而不惑,五十而知天命,六十而耳顺,七十而从心所欲,不逾矩。”从心所欲,不逾矩。”

Confucius said, “Since the age of 15, I have Confucius said, “Since the age of 15, I have devoted myself to learning; Since 30, I have been devoted myself to learning; Since 30, I have been well established; Since 40, I have understood well established; Since 40, I have understood many things and have no longer been confused; many things and have no longer been confused; since 50, I have known my heaven-sent duty; since 50, I have known my heaven-sent duty; since 60, I have been able to distinguish right and since 60, I have been able to distinguish right and wrong in other people’s words; and since 70, I wrong in other people’s words; and since 70, I have been able to do what I intend freely without have been able to do what I intend freely without breaking the rules.”breaking the rules.”

Page 5: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Analects of Confucius

子曰:“学而不思,则罔;思而不学,则子曰:“学而不思,则罔;思而不学,则殆。”殆。”

Confucius said, “It throws one into bewilderment Confucius said, “It throws one into bewilderment to read without thinking whereas it places one in to read without thinking whereas it places one in jeopardy to think without reading.”jeopardy to think without reading.”

子曰:“人而不仁,如礼何?人而不仁,如乐子曰:“人而不仁,如礼何?人而不仁,如乐何?”何?”

Confucius said, “What can a man do about the Confucius said, “What can a man do about the rites if he is not benevolent? What can he do about rites if he is not benevolent? What can he do about music if he is not benevolent?”music if he is not benevolent?”

Page 6: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

子贡曰:“如有博施于民而能济众,何子贡曰:“如有博施于民而能济众,何如?可谓仁乎?”子曰:“夫仁者,己如?可谓仁乎?”子曰:“夫仁者,己欲立而立人;己欲达而达人。”欲立而立人;己欲达而达人。”

Zi Zi Gong asked, “What do you think of one Gong asked, “What do you think of one who can bring bountiful benefits and a who can bring bountiful benefits and a better life to all the people? Is he better life to all the people? Is he benevolent?benevolent?

Confucius answered, “A benevolent man is Confucius answered, “A benevolent man is one who helps others establish what he one who helps others establish what he himself wishes to achieve. To be capable of himself wishes to achieve. To be capable of treating others as one would be treated treating others as one would be treated oneself is the best way to be benevolent.”oneself is the best way to be benevolent.”

Page 7: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Analects of Confucius

子曰:“志于道,据于德,依于仁,游于艺。”子曰:“志于道,据于德,依于仁,游于艺。” Confucius said, “Stick to the Confucius said, “Stick to the way to your goal, base yourself on virtue, lean upon benevolence, way to your goal, base yourself on virtue, lean upon benevolence, and take your recreation in the six arts( that is, music, the rites, and take your recreation in the six arts( that is, music, the rites, archery, carriage driving, classic books and arithmetic).”archery, carriage driving, classic books and arithmetic).”

子曰:“不愤不启,不悱不发,举一隅不以三隅反,则不复子曰:“不愤不启,不悱不发,举一隅不以三隅反,则不复也。”也。”

Confucius said, “ I will not instruct my students until they have Confucius said, “ I will not instruct my students until they have really tried hard but failed to understand. If I give them one really tried hard but failed to understand. If I give them one instance and they cannot draw inferences from it, I will not teach instance and they cannot draw inferences from it, I will not teach them any more.”them any more.”

Page 8: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Analects of Confucius

孔子曰:“君子有九思:视思明,听思聪,色思温,貌孔子曰:“君子有九思:视思明,听思聪,色思温,貌思恭,言思忠,事思敬,疑思问,忿思难,见得思思恭,言思忠,事思敬,疑思问,忿思难,见得思义。”义。”

Confucius said, “ A gentleman concentrates on the following Confucius said, “ A gentleman concentrates on the following nine things: seeing clearly when he uses his eyes; hearing nine things: seeing clearly when he uses his eyes; hearing acutely when he uses his ears; looking mild when it comes to acutely when he uses his ears; looking mild when it comes to facial expression; appearing sedate when it comes to facial expression; appearing sedate when it comes to demeanor; being sincere when he speaks; being conscientious demeanor; being sincere when he speaks; being conscientious when it comes to his office responsibility; seeking advice when it comes to his office responsibility; seeking advice when he is in the face of difficulty; foreseeing the when he is in the face of difficulty; foreseeing the consequences when he gets angry; asking himself whether it consequences when he gets angry; asking himself whether it is right when he wants to gain something.”is right when he wants to gain something.”

Page 9: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

What is “Ren”?

Confucius’ disciples asked him on various occasions, Confucius’ disciples asked him on various occasions, “What is ‘ren’?” “What is ‘ren’?”

He replied, “ He replied, “ It is to love all menIt is to love all men.”.” One aspect of this was: “What you do not want done to One aspect of this was: “What you do not want done to

yourself, do not do to others.” yourself, do not do to others.” Another was: “A man of perfect virtue, wishing to be Another was: “A man of perfect virtue, wishing to be

established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others.”to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others.”

The combination of these two aspects is regarded as the The combination of these two aspects is regarded as the essence of “Ren”, or called “essence of “Ren”, or called “the doctrine of loyalty and the doctrine of loyalty and forbearanceforbearance.”.”

Page 10: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Contributions of Confucius

As the founder of Confucianism, he contributed greatly to As the founder of Confucianism, he contributed greatly to the development and success of traditional Chinese the development and success of traditional Chinese culture.culture.

(1)He compiled (1)He compiled 6 books6 books, which are called the Six Classics, , which are called the Six Classics, including including The Book of SongsThe Book of Songs 《《诗》诗》 , , Collection of Ancient TextsCollection of Ancient Texts《《书》书》 , , The rites The rites 《《礼》礼》 , , The MusicThe Music 《《乐》乐》 , , The Book of The Book of ChangesChanges 《《易》易》 , , and and The Spring and Autumn AnnalsThe Spring and Autumn Annals 《《春秋》春秋》 ..

((2)He established benevolence(2)He established benevolence( 仁仁 ) ) and rites as the core and rites as the core of his theoryof his theory. Benevolence is an ethical system as well as a . Benevolence is an ethical system as well as a moral realm, the core of which is the advocacy of love for moral realm, the core of which is the advocacy of love for humans.humans.

Page 11: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Thoughts of Confucius

But, this love for humans is divided into many levelsBut, this love for humans is divided into many levels -- a a feature of a patriarchal social system. feature of a patriarchal social system.

Rites refer to the etiquette systemRites refer to the etiquette system, the core of which is , the core of which is social strata. social strata.

Since benevolence refers to moral and rites to politics, Since benevolence refers to moral and rites to politics, Confucian doctrines are thoughts of political ethics, which Confucian doctrines are thoughts of political ethics, which stand for a policy of benevolence and opposition of stand for a policy of benevolence and opposition of tyrannical rule.tyrannical rule.

(3)Confucius (3)Confucius established private schoolsestablished private schools, advocating his , advocating his learning strategies, that is, the combination of learning and learning strategies, that is, the combination of learning and thinking, reviewing and teaching.thinking, reviewing and teaching.

Page 12: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Up to now, most of his thoughts have their values.

He maintains the idea that He maintains the idea that everyone has the right to be everyone has the right to be educatededucated, and that education should be offered to all , and that education should be offered to all classes. While spreading the spirit of being insatiable in classes. While spreading the spirit of being insatiable in learning and tireless in teaching, he strives for educating learning and tireless in teaching, he strives for educating students in accordance with their aptitude by adopting an students in accordance with their aptitude by adopting an elicitation method of teaching. elicitation method of teaching.

儒家思想已无孔不入地渗透在中国人民的观念、行为、习俗、儒家思想已无孔不入地渗透在中国人民的观念、行为、习俗、信仰、情感之中,形成了中华民族某种共同的心理状态和性格特信仰、情感之中,形成了中华民族某种共同的心理状态和性格特征。深入地了解孔子的思想及学说,对学习和了解中国文化是很征。深入地了解孔子的思想及学说,对学习和了解中国文化是很有帮助的。(现实意义)有帮助的。(现实意义)

Page 13: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Lao Zi Lao Zi , founder of Taoism, was a great philosopher in the latter Lao Zi , founder of Taoism, was a great philosopher in the latter

years of the Spring and Autumn Period. He was appointed as an years of the Spring and Autumn Period. He was appointed as an official historianofficial historian in the Zhou Dynasty; later he retired from in the Zhou Dynasty; later he retired from public life.public life.

Lao Zi broaches the thought of Tao, which means the Lao Zi broaches the thought of Tao, which means the movement movement and law of the universeand law of the universe. This thought is reflected in his book . This thought is reflected in his book Lao Zi(or Lao Zi(or Moral DoctrinesMoral Doctrines).).

The basic nature of Tao is to let things take their own course The basic nature of Tao is to let things take their own course naturally.naturally.

He put forward to a mode of reverse thinking, thus making He put forward to a mode of reverse thinking, thus making Taoism and Confucianism exist simultaneously and Taoism and Confucianism exist simultaneously and complementarily and grow into the two main schools of China’s complementarily and grow into the two main schools of China’s traditional thoughts.traditional thoughts.

Page 14: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Seeking Harmony and Maintaining Balance, Peace and Contentment

In terms of world outlook, China’s traditional society, In terms of world outlook, China’s traditional society, based on the civilization of agriculture, advocated the based on the civilization of agriculture, advocated the theory that “man is an integral part of nature” and the theory that “man is an integral part of nature” and the notion of “notion of “the golden meanthe golden mean.”.”

As the early agricultural production depended on the As the early agricultural production depended on the blessings of nature, it was a basic requirement for the blessings of nature, it was a basic requirement for the social economy to comply with natural laws; hence the social economy to comply with natural laws; hence the emergence of the theory that “emergence of the theory that “man is an integral part of man is an integral part of naturenature,” which emphasized the harmony and the ,” which emphasized the harmony and the inseparable relationship between man and nature.inseparable relationship between man and nature.

Page 15: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Seeking Harmony and Maintaining Balance, Peace and Contentment

Both the two ideological systems of Confucianism and Both the two ideological systems of Confucianism and Taoism maintained the same theory. It reads in Lao Zi that Taoism maintained the same theory. It reads in Lao Zi that “man should adapt himself to nature.” “man should adapt himself to nature.”

The theory that “man is an integral part of nature” implies The theory that “man is an integral part of nature” implies the sublimation of moral quality. When Confucianism the sublimation of moral quality. When Confucianism refers to it, it means the moralization of personality, while refers to it, it means the moralization of personality, while in Taoism it means the naturalization of personality.in Taoism it means the naturalization of personality.

The former talks about moral cultivation, while the The former talks about moral cultivation, while the latter, about returning to nature.latter, about returning to nature.

Page 16: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Seeking Harmony and Maintaining Balance, Peace and Contentment

The theory was adapted to enable people not only to The theory was adapted to enable people not only to harmonizeharmonize the relationship between man and nature, but the relationship between man and nature, but also to harmonize the interpersonal relationship, and also to harmonize the interpersonal relationship, and physical and mental health.physical and mental health.

Confucius was in favor of “the golden mean” stressing the Confucius was in favor of “the golden mean” stressing the unity of opposites. The so-called “unity” refers to the unity of opposites. The so-called “unity” refers to the attempt at balance between the two opposite sides. attempt at balance between the two opposite sides. Therefore, there is a famous saying of “Therefore, there is a famous saying of “holding the two holding the two ends but using the middle partends but using the middle part.” The golden mean, by .” The golden mean, by seeking balance, aims at stability.seeking balance, aims at stability.

Page 17: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Seeking Harmony and Maintaining Balance, Peace and Contentment

Striving for stability was one of the Chinese people’s Striving for stability was one of the Chinese people’s major traits. They preferred a major traits. They preferred a settled lifestylesettled lifestyle to an ever- to an ever-changing one.changing one.

They were satisfied with what they got from the land. They They were satisfied with what they got from the land. They were not interested in the external world, had were not interested in the external world, had little little curiosity for adventurescuriosity for adventures and had little desire for expansion. and had little desire for expansion. The Great Wall, which was intended as a defensive The Great Wall, which was intended as a defensive structure and not as a weapon for expansion, is a good structure and not as a weapon for expansion, is a good example showing the Chinese people’s love for peace. example showing the Chinese people’s love for peace. They took farming, reading and bringing up their children They took farming, reading and bringing up their children as the staples of their life. as the staples of their life.

Page 18: Confucius and Confucianism  Confucius lived in the latter part of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-479BC).  Confucius was a philosopher, political thinker

Seeking Harmony and Maintaining Balance, Peace and Contentment

The harmonious and stable life established the Chinese The harmonious and stable life established the Chinese people’s character of being content with what they were people’s character of being content with what they were and what they had. and what they had.

They were inclined to be satisfied with a simple and placid They were inclined to be satisfied with a simple and placid life with little aggressiveness.life with little aggressiveness.

They had a calm and sober dignity, and took an optimistic They had a calm and sober dignity, and took an optimistic attitude to grievances and disaster. Beneath their mild attitude to grievances and disaster. Beneath their mild appearance they were aspirational.appearance they were aspirational.

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