Historical development
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800 to 200 BCE was a period of great political and social turmoil which involved the intellectual enlightenment of China. The period between 500 and 200 BCE is often regarded as the ‘Classical Age’ of Chinese philosophy because during this time, the Zhou authority was deteriorating as it was reaching its end. There was a growing conflict between the 7 states of China and the tradition Chinese principles began to deteriorate which led to the decline of moral authority. The most influential minds in Chinese intellect flourished under the Zhou Dynasty, especially during the Eastern Zhou period. Many philosophic ideologies such as Taoism, Legalism and Confucianism emerged during this period, known as the “Hundred Schools of Thought.”
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Yin and Yang.
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Taoism (Dao jia)
Taoism/Daoism is the religious-ethical ideology that promotes the idea of living harmoniously with the ‘way’ or ‘path. Taoism was developed around the same time as Confucianism by a philosopher and poet of China called Loazi, also known as Lao Tze. Taoism advocates living harmoniously with Tao/Dao which means ‘way’ or ‘path’. It also promotes living harmoniously or in union with nature, being virtuous, self development and the pursuit of spiritual immorality. The Taoist way of life is built upon simple hospitality and “letting nature do her job.” Daode Jing or The Tao Te Ching (‘The Way and its Power’), is a Chinese classical text ascribed to Laozi. Filled with metaphors, the Daode Jing outlines the philosophical ideologies of Taoism. |
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Legalism (Fa jia)
Developed during the Warring States Period and through the influence of Shang Yang, who was a Chinese statesman of the Qin State during the period, Legalism became one of the prominent school of thoughts. Legalism (Fa jia) is the strict adherence to law - it emphasises the significance of law. ‘Fa’ means law or pattern. Opposite to Confucianism which focuses on moral principles, Legalism justifies the importance of the law in order to ensure the flourishing of the state: a good government should be solely based on a fixed code of law and practices. During the Zhou dynasty’s decline, punishments were used by rulers to ensure the people obliged. Legalistic philosophers agreed that sets of laws for every aspect of daily life is necessary and they reasoned that in order to achieve this, the emperor must have all the supremacy, wealth defended by powerful military forces. |
Confucius and Confucianism
“THE ATTENTION OF CONFUCIUS WAS ATTRACTED TOWARDS VERY PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF THIS WORLD RATHER THAN SEEKING CONSOLATION IN OTHERWORLDLY NOTIONS.”
Confucius of Confucianism.
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Confucius
Confucius, also known as Kong Qui was a Chinese philosopher, teacher and political figure during the Spring and Autumn period of the Zhou dynasty of Ancient China. Confucius is believed to be born in 551 BC in modern day Qufu, Shandon Province, China. Little about Confucius’ life was known - Sima Qian, a Chinese historian during the Han dynasty provides the most detailed account of his life. In saying so, the account has received many skepticism on its accuracy. Many claim that Confucius was born into a royal family of the Zhou dynasty whereas others described him as being poor. Confucius supposedly also married and had a child named Kong Li. One irrefutable fact is that Confucius lived during the time of ideological crisis in China. Confucius, like any other influential figures in ancient history, dedicated his time travelling around China to teach about his philosophy. Confucius is reliable as he was the founder of Confucianism that became the official royal philosophy of China. After his death in 479 BC, his pupils gathered his teachings and developed the Analects of Confucius. Confucianism was also exceptionally influential during the Han, Tang and Song dynasties. During the Warring States Period, the power of the empire was undermined as the 7 states competed for supremacy. Confucius lived during a time when the Zhou dynasty was immersed in serious political conflicts. Rather than seeing this an opportunity, he saw a need to reinforce the traditional societal values. His philosophy was founded upon the concept of ‘ren’ which, in simple words, means goodness, benevolence and love as well as exercising self-discipline. Confucius advocated the perfectibility of all men and was against the idea that any man was born superior to another. |
Confucianism
Confucianism, provided spiritual, ethical and moral support for all aspects of life - economics, government, leadership, family and etc. It was a set of political and moral doctrines with Confucius’ teachings as its foundation. Confucianism advocates moral cultivation, the exercise of self discipline and stresses the value of filial piety (being obedient and dutiful to parents), humanity and the importance of ritual to preserve “universal order.” Mencius (Meng Zi) and Xunzi (Xun Zi), who were also ancient Chinese philosophers, further developed Confucianism after Confucius’ death. Although Confucius developed Confucianism during the later period of the Zhou Dynasty, it was not until the Qin and Han Dynasty which followed, that Confucianism became the predominant philosophy.
Confucianism, provided spiritual, ethical and moral support for all aspects of life - economics, government, leadership, family and etc. It was a set of political and moral doctrines with Confucius’ teachings as its foundation. Confucianism advocates moral cultivation, the exercise of self discipline and stresses the value of filial piety (being obedient and dutiful to parents), humanity and the importance of ritual to preserve “universal order.” Mencius (Meng Zi) and Xunzi (Xun Zi), who were also ancient Chinese philosophers, further developed Confucianism after Confucius’ death. Although Confucius developed Confucianism during the later period of the Zhou Dynasty, it was not until the Qin and Han Dynasty which followed, that Confucianism became the predominant philosophy.
Analects of Confucius
The Analects of Confucius is a collection of Confucius’ teachings. Unfortunately, it was not compiled by Confucius himself, but it was his followers. After his death, his followers gathered his teachings which then evolved into the Analects of Confucius. Through the Analects, the Confucian philosophy is built upon the idea of a man being able to live an educated, upright life in which he can contribute to the advancement of society. The man should respect those around him as well as maintaining good friendships. He must constantly exercise self discipline and must remain humble. This tells us that the Analects was the ethical and moral guidance for the people during the ideology crisis. It taught people to live with integrity. The Analects offered advice for all aspects of life during the time - right living, government, military, education and etc. |
Analects of Confucius.
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Primary Source - Analects of Confucius
[2-3] 子曰。道之以政、齊之以刑、民免而無恥。道之以德、齊之以禮、有恥且格。
[2:3] The Master said: “If you govern the people legalistically and control them by punishment, they will avoid crime, but have no personal sense of shame. If you govern them by means of virtue and control them with propriety, they will gain their own sense of shame, and thus correct themselves.”
A selection from the Analects of Confucius as translated by A. Charles Muller.
[2-3] 子曰。道之以政、齊之以刑、民免而無恥。道之以德、齊之以禮、有恥且格。
[2:3] The Master said: “If you govern the people legalistically and control them by punishment, they will avoid crime, but have no personal sense of shame. If you govern them by means of virtue and control them with propriety, they will gain their own sense of shame, and thus correct themselves.”
A selection from the Analects of Confucius as translated by A. Charles Muller.
In this source, Confucius believes that punishment alone would not teach the people to stop committing crimes as it brings ‘no personal sense of shame’. Instead, if the leader controls the people with modesty and goodness, they will learn through their sense of shame. As a political advisor, Confucius advocated the concept of a self-disciplined leader. Confucius believed that in order for the followers to follow well, the leader must manifest a positive example by treating his followers with compassion whilst remaining humble.
The official publication details of the Analects of Confucius is unknown. However, in some accounts, it was said that the Analects were completed during the Warring States Period. Before the 20th century, the oldest known copy of the Analects was written in stone in the old Eastern Han dynasty capital of Luoyang around 175 AD: "Stone Classics of the Xinping Era”. Since then, archaeologists were able to find more handwritten copies. In 1973, the Dingzhou Analects were found, but until 1997, there were no published transcription. As universities and academies were able to access the Analects, there has been several translations of the scripts.
The official publication details of the Analects of Confucius is unknown. However, in some accounts, it was said that the Analects were completed during the Warring States Period. Before the 20th century, the oldest known copy of the Analects was written in stone in the old Eastern Han dynasty capital of Luoyang around 175 AD: "Stone Classics of the Xinping Era”. Since then, archaeologists were able to find more handwritten copies. In 1973, the Dingzhou Analects were found, but until 1997, there were no published transcription. As universities and academies were able to access the Analects, there has been several translations of the scripts.
Legacy of Confucius
Confucius, perceived as a sage, died in 479 BC in Qufu, China. Although Confucianism was developed during the Zhou Dynasty, it was at its zenith during the Qin and Han Dynasty. His ideology became the foundation of the state. Throughout its development during the Zhou dynasty, Confucianism was the ideology that preserved the traditional Chinese values and the guardian of Chinese civilisation. Confucianism has survived through the centuries and even in the contemporary world today, Confucius’ ideology still exists. As Confucianism was a humanistic ideology, it was influential and became the most outstanding element of Chinese philosophy in general. The Five Classics and the Four Books are the books of Confucianism written before 300 BC in China. The texts cover a great range of subjects such as literature, history, philosophy, politics, ethics and etc. They are crucial to Confucian scholars as it spreads the ideology of the Confucian School. They also influence the moral and ethical intellect of the ancient Chinese people.
Confucius, perceived as a sage, died in 479 BC in Qufu, China. Although Confucianism was developed during the Zhou Dynasty, it was at its zenith during the Qin and Han Dynasty. His ideology became the foundation of the state. Throughout its development during the Zhou dynasty, Confucianism was the ideology that preserved the traditional Chinese values and the guardian of Chinese civilisation. Confucianism has survived through the centuries and even in the contemporary world today, Confucius’ ideology still exists. As Confucianism was a humanistic ideology, it was influential and became the most outstanding element of Chinese philosophy in general. The Five Classics and the Four Books are the books of Confucianism written before 300 BC in China. The texts cover a great range of subjects such as literature, history, philosophy, politics, ethics and etc. They are crucial to Confucian scholars as it spreads the ideology of the Confucian School. They also influence the moral and ethical intellect of the ancient Chinese people.
Confucius handing over Gautama Buddha to Laozi.
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The Four Books
The Four Books illustrates and details the principle beliefs of Confucianism. The Four Books are: The Great Learning The Great Learning has a section attributed to the ideologies of Confucius followed by commentary chapters with recognition to one of Confucius’ disciples, Zengzi. It communicates the Chinese intellect on philosophy and politics. The Doctrine of the Mean The Doctrine of the Mean is ascribed to Zisi (Kong Ji), Confucius’ grandson who was also a philosopher. It is a 33-chapter book focusing on ‘the Way’ (Tao) and how to gain perfect virtue. Confucian Analects The Analects of Confucius is a collection of Confucius’ teachings. It was compiled by his followers after his death. The Works of Mencius Mencius is a Confucius philosopher who was the most famous after Confucius himself. Mencius further developed Confucianism after Confucius’ death. The Works of Mencius is a collection of Mencius’ conversations with kings during his time. It covers the moral and political philosophy. |
The Five Classics
The Five Classics are five ancient Chinese books used as a basis when studying Confucianism. The Five Classics consists of: The Book of Odes (Shi Jing) This a collection of approximately 300 to 305 poems which are categorised into about 160 folk songs and 105 festal songs in which were sung at court ceremonies. It also consists of approximately 40 hymns and eulogies for sacrificial ceremonies - usually to gods or ancestral spirits from the royal house. |
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Book of History (Shu Jing)
This book contains official documents allegedly written by rulers dating far back in Chinese history and during the Zhou dynasty.
Book of Changes (Yi Jing)
The Book of Changes is an ancient divination text and is the oldest of the classics. It evolves around the eight trigrams and the sixty-four hexagrams, referring to the beliefs of yin and yang. Taoists also incorporated this book into its ideology.
Book of Rites
The Book of Rites is simply the detailing of the ceremonies and rituals of the Zhou dynasty.
The Spring and Autumn Annals
This book is the historical documentation of the Lu State period to Confucius’ death (722-479 BC).
This book contains official documents allegedly written by rulers dating far back in Chinese history and during the Zhou dynasty.
Book of Changes (Yi Jing)
The Book of Changes is an ancient divination text and is the oldest of the classics. It evolves around the eight trigrams and the sixty-four hexagrams, referring to the beliefs of yin and yang. Taoists also incorporated this book into its ideology.
Book of Rites
The Book of Rites is simply the detailing of the ceremonies and rituals of the Zhou dynasty.
The Spring and Autumn Annals
This book is the historical documentation of the Lu State period to Confucius’ death (722-479 BC).