Sunday, November 13, 2011

The influence of Confucius and Confucianism on Chinese culture, society, and politics?

What was the influence of Confucius and Confucianism on Chinese culture, society, and politics?





If you want to post a website (other than wikipedia, I already read that) that would be fine, or just say a bit about it. Anything to point me in the right direction would be great.|||I spent almost a full week on Confucius and read the entirety of The Analects so hopefully, I may be of some help.





Confucianism is essentially the practice of virtue, a set of teachings based on Chinese antiquity (mandate of heaven, ancestor veneration, spirits and ritual).





Purpose: cultivation of moral virtues by the interaction of human and heavenly rules as well as political involvement ---- Confucianism focuses on how to develop a just and orderly society by using:


- religious ethics


- political ideology


- mandate of heaven





Confucius focused on teaching young men on wisdom and altruism, performance of rites, rituals and musical talent... all part of forming a virtuous character





Important Aspects of Confucian thought:


Li - ritual, custom, propriety, manners --- all things that establish order and harmony within society and human relations: justice


ORDER


Ren - goodness, benevolence, virtue (no motivation by profit but from what it moral, no concern of public recognition but with self improvement etc)


Confucius looks to the sages as an example of virtuous and charismatic leaders





Keep in mind the idea of the true gentleman (zhunzi): one's background does not matter, you need not be rich to be virtuous... the superior man is honest, does what is right, tells the truth; he is trained in many tasks and studies; always thinks in the benefit of others





Rectification of Name is one of the more important aspects of Confucianism, although many of them overlap (filial piety, study, reciprocity).


- common understanding of social roles and responsibilities


- when you have a title it carries meaning and expectations, one cannot just make what he wishes of the social role, there are many obligations one must not back out of





What I get overall from Confucius is self-cultivation, improving one's self, learning, expanding knowledge, devotion to antiquity and morality, understanding that learning cannot equate with profit, understanding social duties and ethical obligations, empathy, etiquette and benevolence





I don't know if you have any knowledge of Hinduism or Buddhism, but many connections can be made to the concept of Dharma... but the ultimate goal is to create the superior man, to create political certainty and strength out of strong, intelligent leaders who are courteous and benevolent and who respect Chinese antiquity and the mandate of heaven (legitimation of chinese kings, that heaven has a calling to people, response to that calling is following all aspects mentioned above)|||Here. Hopefully this will be of help to you.





Good luck.

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