Group 6
Group 6
Group 6
Confucianism is an ancient
Chinese belief system, which
focuses on the importance of
personal ethics and morality.
Whether it is only a
philosophy or also a religion is
debated.
Since Confucianism emphasizes
the ethical dimension of the
world, it gives primary attention
to human relationship, thus
advocating social values and
ideals which should serve as the
foundation of Chinese society.
•Founder
Confucius
Confucius' personal name was Qiu and his
family name was Qong. He was born on
September 28 on 551 B.C.E. He came from a
noble family, but by the time of his birth, they
had already lost much of their wealth. At the
age of 15 he set his heart upon learning, thus
became one of the highest virtues in
Confucian ethics. He is often considered as
the first person to devote his whole life to
learning and teaching for the purpose of
social transformation and improvement.
•Sacred Texts and
Scriptures
Confucian
Classics
1. Book of Changes
Also known as the I-Ching, the Book
of Changes is believed to have
existed at the time of Confucius and
is the oldest of the Classics. It
focuses on short predictions
following a type of divination called
cleromancy wherein six random
numbers are picked and arranged
under sixty-four Hexagram.
2. Book of History
Also known as the Book of Documents or
Shangshu, the Book of History is
conventionally attributed to Confucius by
early scholars. It is composed of speeches
(or prose) of royalty and ministers mainly
from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. It also
consists of chronological accounts of
imperial achievements and rules of
government.
3. The Book of Poetry
Also known as the Book of Songs, is a
collection of three hundred and five songs
compiled around 600 B.C.E. which includes
four sections of various themes such as
love, courtship, abandonment and dances
It also includes feast songs or state chants.
It was supposedly compiled by Confucius
from an ancient repertory of three
thousand, and is considered as the oldest
existing compilation of Chinese poetry.
4. Classic of Rites
Originally the Three Rites, the Classic of Rites
is a compilation of ceremonial rituals,
administration, and social forms of the Zhou
Dynasty.
It also includes the Book of Rites which is
composed of forty-nine sections of ritual and
government guidelines, as well as essays on
education, the rites, music and philosophy.
These texts were supposedly compiled in the
early first century B.C.E. based on earlier
materials.
5. The Analects
or Lunyu ("conversations" or "sayings"), is also
known as the Analects of Confucius. It is a
collection of sayings and ideas attributed to
the Chinese philosopher Confucius and his
contemporaries, traditionally believed to have
been written by Confucius' followers. It is
believed to have been written during the
Warring States period (475 B.C.E-221 B.C.E.)
and finalized during the middle of the Han
dynasty.
•Doctrines
•Mandate of Heaven
In Confucianism, the Mandate of Heaven
refers to the belief that the ruler's power
and legitimacy are granted by the
heavens or the divine. It is believed that
an emperor or king holds the divine right
to rule as long as their actions are just
and beneficial to the people.
•Tian
"Tian" (天), often translated as "Heaven,"
refers to the concept of an ultimate cosmic
power and the source of moral order. It
represents the divine force or the natural
reality that guides and governs the world. Tian
is considered the highest authority and the
embodiment of righteousness, justice, and
harmony.
•Human Nature as
Originally Good or Evil
There are two philosophers who had
different interpretation on the subject of
human nature based on the Analects.
They were Mengzi (Mencius) and
Xunzi(Hsun Tzu). Their views on human
nature were opposed with each other.
•Mencius
Mencius believed
that all human beings
are born innately
good which, on one
hand, can be
properly cultivated
through education
and self-discipline or
be thrown away by
neglect and bad
influence.
•Xunzi
Xunzi believed
that human
nature is basically
evil but can be
improved through
self-cultivarion.
•Rectification of
Names
Confucius believed that to return to the ancient Dao,
people must play their assigned roles in society. This
was later called the rectification of names, or
Zhengming. Zhengming helps bring social order for it
advocates the idea that every person has a particular
role at a particular time in life, and that by abiding to
this particular role, one is able to fulfil one's social
duties and responsibilities, thus creating social
harmony.
•Five Cardinal Virtues
The Five Constants, also known as the
Five Classical Virtues, or Wuchang are
the five most important Confucian
ethics mentioned in the Analects and
the Book of Mencius.
These include the following:
1. Ren (Humanity or Benevolence): Ren is the core virtue of
Confucianism, emphasizing compassion, kindness, and love
towards others.
2. Yi (Righteousness or Justice): Yi refers to the concept of
acting ethically, morally, and justly in all aspects of life.
3. Li (Propriety or Ritual): Li refers to the observance of
proper conduct, social norms, and traditional rituals.
4. Zhi (Wisdom or Knowledge): Zhi encompasses the pursuit
of wisdom, knowledge, and self-improvement.
5. Xin (Integrity or Sincerity): Xin emphasizes authenticity,
honesty, and sincerity in one's thoughts, words, and actions.
Filial Piety