Confucianism

Confucianism
Origins and Founder
Founder was Confucius
Started from Confucius's ideas of wanting
to solve China's disorder
Tried to spread his ideas but was never
elected into a political office
After he died his students came and took
his writings/ideas and put them into the
Analects
Sacred Texts
The 5 Classics
In the 12th century Zhu Xi wrote The
Sacred Texts of Confucianism compiled of
four books:
The Great Learning
Analects of Confucious
Book of Mencius
The Doctrine of the Mean
Core Beliefs
Central Principal: "Do
not do to others what
you do not want done
to yourself"
Confucius also Emphasized:
Mercy
Social Order
Fulfillment of Responsibility
Family and Society come before the
individual
Self Control of emotions
Where did it spread and why?
Spread to China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan
because...
It was written down so Confucian ideas
could easily be transported from place to
place
Confucian ideas were taught in most
schools
China's government took
Confucianism ideas into their
government
It also just spread through word of mouth
Political and Social Impact
Social
Everyone had a place in society.
Lower levels gave obedience to higher
levels (at the family level and national level).
"Collectivism" vs "Individualism", people
are defined by their relationship to the
group.
Strong family ties.
Political
A moral code of ethics focusing on
truthfulness, generosity, respect,
diligence, industriousness, and
kindness.
Hierarchy structured.
Ideas helped guide a good government.
The Book of History
Poetry
Rites
Changes
Spring and Autumn Annals
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