...importance. Thus, it is said that one of the characteristics of Chinese thought is this- worldliness- in other words, greater attention to life in this world. Humanism’s emphasis is on man’s self- dependence rather than dependence in heaven or the ancestors. In fact, it was a humanism that professes the utility of man and heaven. It is in this sense that humanism has dominated Chinese thought from the dawn of history. Humanism is an outgrowth of historical and social change. To understand Confucius, it is necessary to realize what sort of a world he lived in. He is criticized as having been too much interested in the orderly arrangement of affairs, but it must be remembered that he was trying to bring order out of something close to chaos. To hold his revolutionary ideas and to talk to them as he freely did in a world where these were extremely dangerous gave life adventure enough. Chinese history starts with the Shang dynasty. This civilization suffered a setback when in 1122 B.C., according to traditional chronology, the Shang were conquered by a coalition of relatively rude tribesmen. The conquerors were led by the Chou people who established the Chou dynasty. The invaders pushed their conquest to cover a considerable portion of North China, but it was impossible for them to administer the territory as a strongly centralized state. Out of necessity, most of their territories were parceled out to the relatives of the Chou ruler and to the chiefs of the other tribes that had...
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...The Ideal Person Cameron Bonner REL 133 March 20, 2014 Gregg R. Johnson, Ed. D. The Ideal Person An ideal Person according to Confucius was one who had the ability to focus on the reality of the world and be empowered to provide guidelines as to how people ought to live their lives. His main goal was that everyone was in a position to carry themselves with dignity, good moral character, grace, and be well spoken. The Ideal person in regard to the way he was described by Confucius could be regarded as someone who has been able to learn how to live their entire life within the parameters that had firmly been established by the Heavens. Confucian taught five virtues that an ideal person ought to have: ren, xiao, li, shu, and wen. Ren can be translated to refer to simply goodness or compassion. This is the central virtue from the teachings of Confucianism that does make us to be human. Ren has two major aspects: reciprocity and loyalty. Loyalty can be defined as the commitment to the true Way, while reciprocity refers to not having to inflicting on other people that which you would not want. These teachings continue to affirm that wisdom has different aspects, and among these is the capability to be a good judge of other people’s character. This teaching affirms that the qualities of humanity, benevolence and love are qualities are in all humans and it remains the duty of parents, governments and teachers to cultivate Ren. Li is refers to the proprietary good manners or rites...
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...The Ideal Person The Ideal person is one of several teachings that Confucius taught. Confucius believed that the ideal person would become an excellent leader and nurture and harmonious society. Confucius believed that both an ideal person and a harmonious society complemented each other. He believed that the ideal person could keep society in tune and a in tune society could produce ideal people. In Confucius eyes everyone has the capability of achieving this level. This was different than the Daoism belief that one can only achieve this level only through isolation. Confucius believed that in order for harmony to exist in society everyone had a role to play (MOLLOY). He placed these roles into the five great relationships. The first was Father-son relationship, which Confucius considers to be the core of the foundation of Society. Second, was Elder brother-Younger brother relationship, the elder brother had a responsibility on raising his/her younger siblings. The third responsibility was husband and wife, which meant that they must care for one another. The fourth responsibility was Elder-younger, which meant the Elder person had a responsibility on lending a hand to the younger generation. Finally the fifth responsibility was ruler-subject, which meant the rulers were presented as a father figure to all. Just as social harmony comes from the living out of the Five Great Relationships, so personal excellence comes from the manifestation of five virtues....
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...compare and contrast Jesus Christ and Confucius Two different men, living half of century apart on different continents, representatives of distinctly unlike cultures, and yet their influence on world is so similar. Both men set the beginnings of new religions and new eras in their countries. The religions they founded, survived for two millenniums shaping ideologies not of a single country but of half of the world. Their names are very well known and influential even in modern world. These names belong to a Chinese philosopher Confucius and Jewish religious leader Jesus Christ. The two religions they founded are Confucianism and Christianity. Even though these religions dominated in very distant from each other parts of the World, many concepts of these religions may seem strangely alike. Both Confucius’ and Christ’s teachings pursue transcendence within humans and peace with other people, however their ideas of what it is to be human and how to achieve perfection differ drastically. Two great works of literature Analects and Bible express analogous ideas of Confucius and Christ about perfection of the self and treating others peacefully. Analects describe all the Confucius’ sayings as well as his actions communicating his idea of a perfect “gentleman” the ideal, each man should make his goal to be. New Testament is a collection of short stories describing short episodes from the life of Christ with morale lesson communicating the ideal behavior in each of them. We can see...
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...Ideal Pearson Davant G. Bryant WORLD RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS I REL/133 UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX Professor PAGE BROOKS Ideal Person Confucius educated people about many things; the essential subject being on how an ideal human being ought to be. According to his philosophies, Confucius stated that an ideal individual possessed good ethical personalities (Werner & David, 2002). He believed that good decent principles were the basis for any human beliefs. He alleged that a superlative person must possess deep respect for devotion and respect his father and leaders. This made Confucius to emphasize more on person’s obedience to their leaders and parents. He also expected an ideal being to reflect for himself, directed by distinct rules of demeanor. Confucius stated that, man must engage himself in some sort of trouble in on order to discover the right things. Li and Ren concepts contain the foundation of Confucianism. Ren is the individual heartedness, integrity, compassion, and the things that give individuals their civilization. Li is a standard of achievement, advantage, order, and the existing channel to individuals’ deeds. There are two main meanings of Li; the initial one being the substantial guide to individual interactions or the convention of appropriate measures that embodies ren. The other concept is the universal social order principle also known as the general life organization (Xinzhong, 2000). However, for...
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...Confucianism Elaine Gaynor REL/133 02/01/2015 Dr. David Fraser Confucianism Confucianism is the way of life, a religion which was given by Confucius in the 6–5th century BCE. This was later followed up by Chinese people now for more than two millennia. It showcases as well as preaches the importance of educational and moral development in different individuals. This initially began in China but later spread through the south east, and East Asia, later gaining popularity in Japan, Korea and Vietnam also. There are five different relationships which are espoused by Confucius, which if governed by Li (a guide) then there will be harmony, as set up by Confucius. Five Great Relationships The relationships set up, were believed to be assisting individuals live in harmony. The level of any relationship can be different factors such as friendship, kindness , including the social factors such as age and socioeconomic factors. The five great relationships are described a follows: 1. Father-son relationship: love and nurturing from the father and care in old age from his son. 2. Elder brother-younger brother: an elder brother must be caring and similarly, younger must be respectful as well. 3. Husband-wife: Husband assures kindness and security towards his wife...
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...Confucian Relationships Andrea Guadiana REL/133 January 31, 2014 James Kirk The ideal person according to Confucius Confucius was an outstanding thinker, educator, and philosopher. He believed that a superior man is threefold. First of all, the ideal person is virtuous and free from anxieties. Second, he is wise and free from perplexities. Third of all, he is bold and fearless. Morality was the most important subject for Confucius. He stated that the ideal person was one who learns to live their life within the parameters established by heaven. Confucius believed that the ideal person should follow five basic concepts or virtues. The first of these is Ren, or compassion. Ren is considered to be the highest virtue on Confucianism. Ren has to do with human-heartedness and compassion for others. It represents the ideal relationship among humans. The next concept is Li. Li is the ritualistic means by which humanity’s potential is achieved. Confucius believed that Li was the principle that kings embodied the laws of heaven and the regulated expression of human nature. It is a code of conduct. Li also refers to well defined relationships with love for others, loyalty among friends, and respect and benevolence for rulers. Li involves moral discipline. The third concept is Xiao. Xiao refers to respect for the family and reverence for parents because life comes from them. Honoring the parents can be shown by protecting one’s body since it was given to him by his parent’s. Xiao...
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...strongly changed from the days Confucius taught it himself, till today in the modern world. Confucius’s beliefs and teachings focused on the ideal person. Confucianism has clearly been westernized in today’s day of age. Many of the beliefs and virtues are not followed as an importance anymore as it used to be. Confucius key beliefs focused on the virtues and relationships between mankind. The virtues include benevolence, propriety, loyalty, intellect, and trust. Benevolence is being able to do good to others with acts of kindness and charitableness. Benevolence is practiced today with donating and helping with charities all over the world to the smallest gesture of helping a friend. Propriety is the act of having good manners. Good manners are important for the ideal person according to Confucius. It is not that common when going out people are out of control, although in today’s society it is slowly becoming “socially acceptable”. Loyalty is another important virtue in the ideal person. One should be loyal to everyone. Sadly today, although there are loyal people, not many people are which can cause several setbacks in relationships, or work environments. The fourth important virtue is intellect. To be intellect one studies and learns with an open mind. Today people make the mistake of acting intellect without actually being intellect. For example, going on a road trip, a person who thinks they know the directions is not intellect, the person who stops to learn and ask for...
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...The Confucianism Tradition Kim Jones REL/133 April 6, 2015 Dr. John Shear The Confucianism Tradition Confucianism is a philosophical tradition in China. The culture was created by the philosopher Confucius. Confucius was born around 551 B.C in China. In his teaching, Confucius believe the way to having a good life is by obtaining excellent ethics. “Meaning a human being becomes a full person through the contributions of other people and through fulfilling one’s obligations (Molloy, 2012 pg.17)”. In the Confucianism tradition, there are many values and beliefs; including the five great relationship; the ideal way a Confucian should act; and the role of Confucianism in the China culture in today society. In the Confucianism tradition, social roles and relationship are imperative in the culture. The Confucius’s perfect society live according to the ethics of the five relationship; which includes are father and son, Elder and younger brother, husband and wife, elder and younger, and ruler and subject. In the father and son relationship, the father has compassion for his children and is responsible for their education. The children must be submissive and loyal to their parents. In the elder and younger brother relationship, the oldest brother holds the responsibility for taking care of his younger siblings, and the younger brother must respect and obey his oldest brother. The husband and wife relationship consist of the husband being the protector of the family...
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... What is Confucianism? "Confucius," the common name of Confucianism's founder, is a Latinized form of the Chinese K'ung-fu-tzu, "Master K'ung." The terms "Confucianism" and "Confucian" are not meaningful terms in Chinese. They are Western terms, coined in Europe as recently as the 18th century. As we dive deeper into this paper on Confucianism we will learn about the Five Great Relationships and the role of Confucianism in Chinese culture and society today. Five great Relationships According to Confucius, each person had a specific place in society and certain duties to fulfill. Confucius hoped that if people knew what was expected of them they would behave correctly. Therefore, he set up five principal relationships in which most people are involved. These relationships were (1) ruler and subject; (2) father and son; (3) elder brother and younger brother; (4) husband and wife; and (5) friend and friend. All, except the last, involve the authority of one person over another. Power and the right to rule belong to superiors over subordinates; that is, to older people over younger people, to men over women. Each person has to give obedience and respect to "superiors"; the subject to his ruler, the wife to her husband, the son to his parents, and the younger brother to the older brother. The "superior," however, owes loving responsibility to the inferior. How is the idea person to act? The ideal person would act like the Junzi. ...
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...Confucius lived, believed, and taught that there is no individual soul or self. He taught ethics and left spiritual beliefs and teachings to those who chose to follow such paths. He taught that whoever put themselves on the negative side of Heaven, had no other recourse to redeem them as is taught and followed in Christianity. There is no redemption in Confucianism only to live truthfully and honor the Earth for what the Earth gives. The Five Great Relationships are as follows: * Kindness in the father and obedient devotion from a son * Gentility in the eldest brother and humility with respect in the youngest * Righteous behavior in a husband and obedience from the wife * Kindness towards the elders in the family and humility in younger generations * Benevolence in Rulers (or to perform goodness) and loyalty from ministers and those subjects The Ideal person is to become educated and live a moral life. He taught that if man is good by nature, then it is quite simple to acquire what is natural to humans where kindness and generosity should be prevalent. An Ideal Man will live in squalor with minimal means, and still have authentic happiness for himself and those around him. This type of man has no jealousy for those who dwell in riches nor shun those less fortunate. The important features of an Ideal man according to Confucius are a man that remains humane to all things given by the Earth and to not acquire comfortable living means in ill-gotten ways...
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...developed by Confucius and Chinese tradition. It encompasses the importance of educational and moral development in individuals. The perfect human being must have the qualities of saint, scholar, and gentleman. To accomplish this, one must adhere to the guidelines of the ‘Five Great Relationships and the Five Virtues.” Confucianism Paper Confucianism developed during the Spring and Autumn Period from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE), who considered himself a retransmitted of Zhou values. Its metaphysical and cosmological elements developed in the Han Dynasty following the replacement of its contemporary, the more Taoistic Huang-Lao, as the official ideology. More privately, Chinese emperors would still make use of the historical Realpolitik of the Chinese, termed Legalism. The disintegration of the Han in the second century CE opened the way for the soteriological doctrines of Buddhism and Taoism to dominate intellectual life at that time. 5 Great Relationships According to Confucius, each person had a specific place in society and certain duties to fulfill. Confucius hoped that if people knew what was expected of them they would behave correctly. Therefore, he set up five principal relationships in which most people are involved. These relationships were (1) ruler and subject; (2) father and son; (3) elder brother and younger brother; (4) husband and wife; and (5) friend and friend. All, except the last, involve the authority of one person over another...
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...Confucianism is one of the oldest philosophies in the world. Confucianism is based on the teaching of Confucius, who was born in 551 BCE in China. His teachings on the five great relationships and how the ideal person should act would shape China and other Asian nations to this day (Confucianism, 2015). The primary focus of Confucianism is the Five Great Relationships. These are the relationships of people in society and their importance. The first and most important is the father-son relationship. According to this relationship, the parents are responsible for their child’s education and the forming of the moral beliefs of the child. The children should be respectful and obey their parents. The children should also take care of their parents when they get old and are no longer able to take care of themselves. After the parents death, the children must honor their parents’ memory and take care of their graves and honor pictures of their parents. This relationship is the basis for all other relationships. Second is the elder brother-younger brother relationship. In this the elder is responsible for the younger and the younger must obey the elder. This is much like the father-son relationship. In fact, if the father should die the eldest son would then take his place as head of the family. Third is the husband-wife relationship. The husband and wife are responsible for taking care of each other. The husband is the head of the house and the protector of the wife. The wife is responsible...
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...five basic relationships according to Confucius, each person has a specific place in society and certain duties to fulfill. Confucius hoped that if people knew what was expected of them they would behave correctly. Therefore, he set up five relationships principal in which most people are involved and these relationships were Ruler and subjects, father and son, elder brother and younger brother, husband and wife and friend and friend. All involve the authority of one person or over another, except the last. Power and the right to rule belong to superiors over subordinates; that is, to older people over younger people, to men over women. Each person has to give obedience and respect to "superiors"; the subject to his ruler, the wife to her husband, the son to his parents, and the younger brother to the older brother. The "superior," however, owes loving responsibility to the inferior. An ideal person through the eyes of Confucius would follow the rules of heave and obey heavens will. By adhering to the rules of heaven that person would morally be attuned. For nearly 2,000 years, Confucianism has shaped the social, ethical and political aspect of Chinese cultures. It was developed by the greatest Chinese philosopher, Confucius, is a philosophy which focuses on the conduct and practices of people in daily life. It plays a key role in forming the norms of social morality which influence the culture in personal, family and social relationships. Confucius was mainly interested in...
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...Confucianism Dorcas Gray REL/133 March 30, 2015 Elizabeth Jarnagin Confucianism Confucianism is an ethical system which was founded by Confucius “Master King.” Confucianism is based on Confucius belief that all persons are capable of doing good. The core idea of Confucianism is humanitarianism, and it is often thought of as a system that regulate social groups. However, according to Molloy (2013), “Confucianism is not just the ideal of an orderly society but also the ideal of a perfect human being” (p. 230). With this information, the paper will provide information on the five great relationships according to Confucianism, the ideal person act, and the role of Confucianism in Chinese culture and society today. The Five Great Relationships According to Confucianism, relationships are perceived to be a combination of individuals interwoven, and exist as a unit despite inequalities. However, these differences give rise to the development of different class of relationships which are divided into five groups such as: • Father and son – Confucians see family as the foundation of existence and the father and son relationship as the core (Molloy, 2013, p. 231). Parents have the responsibility to provide and lay a foundation for their children. Children should at all times be respectful to their parents, and when the parents are old, children are obligation to care for them. • Older and younger brother – An older brother is expected to assume the responsibility of helping...
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