ConfuciusAn overview

Wang BoyanTony Ng

Ang Yi-IanRyan Low

Low Yu tengSherwyn Koh

Aka Kong QuiHis teachings, preserved in the Analects,

focused on creating ethical models of family and public interaction, and setting educational standards.

He died in 479 B.C.

Introduction

IntroductionConfucianism later became the official imperial

philosophy of China, and was extremely influential during the Han, Tang and Song dynasties.

His teachings are foundational to Asian cultures. His writings, The Five Classics, a collection of ancient Chinese literature, and The Four Books, a collection of Confucius' and his disciple's teachings, was for centuries the standard curriculum for Chinese education.

Background of Confucius: Why had he come up with COnfucianismBorn in the Lu province in China.Lived during the Chou dynasty when the land

was divided among feudal lords (a man of rank in the ancient regime).

Moral and social order was in a state of decay, this pushed Confucius to seek a way to restore

cultural-political order. 儒

Believed that reform would come through educating leaders in the classics and his philos0phy.

Had a cabinet position at the age of 50, ascended to higher positions of public office.

However, he resigned his post at 55 due to internal conflicts and political disagreements.

He then traveled for 13 years teaching and trying to persuade political leaders to adopt his teachings.

Background of Confucius: Why had he come up with COnfucianism

Although the lords all respected him, not one gave him a position.

Discouraged, COnfucius devoted his final years to teaching and writing while expressing his discouragement and disillusionment regarding his career.

Although Confucius himself was not that successful in terms of persuading the government to adopt his teachings, his disciples had better luck and managed to get prominent positions in government.

Background of Confucius: Why had he come up with COnfucianism

In addition to Confucius’ teachings, his disciples also added their own insights.

The teachings and insights are what we call Confucianism today.

Background of Confucius: Why had he come up with COnfucianism

Anyone and everyone should be educated.

The method of teaching depends on the student.

Students can get something new after reviewing old knowledge.

Views on education

Confucius’s definition of ‘education’Confucius believes that other than formal

education, students should also learn to love others and appreciate them, which we come to know as ‘moral education’.

He rephrased the biblical saying which was ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ into ‘Do not do to others what you would have them not do to you’ (Analects 15:23).

Confucius’s definition of ‘education’According to dictionary.reference.com, the education system that Confucius devised, confucianism, is defined as ‘the system of ethics, education and statesmanship taught by Confucius and his disciples, stressing love for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for parents, and harmony in thought and conduct.’

Purpose of education for ConfuciusEmphasis on three principles, namely Li, Jen

and Chun-Tzu.Li has several meanings, mostly translated to

proprietary, respect, reverence and courtesy.Jen is the very core of confucian teaching, it is

the virtue of virtue and benevolence.It is through Jen that the ‘silver rule’ was

made.Li provides the structure for human

interaction, Jen makes it a moral system.

Purpose of education for ConfuciusChun-Tzu is the idea of a true gentleman

(familiar?). It means that one lives on the highest ethical standards possible and displays ALL of these five virtues: Self-respect, generosity, sincerity, persistence and benevolence.

RelationshipsCentral to Confucius' teaching are relationships and social roles. There are five great relationships:1. Kindness in the father and obedient devotion in

the son2. Gentility in the eldest brother and humility and

respect in the younger3. Righteous behavior in the husband and

obedience in the wife4. Humane consideration in elders and deference in

juniors5. Benevolence in rulers and loyalty of ministers

and subjectsIf these attitudes are practised there will be harmony among all.

EthicsConfucian ethics are described as humanistic. This ethical philosophy can be practiced by all the members of a society. Confucian ethics is characterized by the promotion of virtues, encompassed by the Five Constants, or the Wuchang (五常 ), extrapolated by Confucian scholars during the Han Dynasty. The Five Constants are:仁 , humaneness義 , righteousness or justice禮 , proper rite智 , knowledge信 , integrity

EthicsThese are accompanied by the classical Sìzì (四字 ), that singles out four virtues, one of which is included among the Five Constants:忠 , loyalty孝 , filial piety節 , continency義 , righteousness

There are still many other elements such as 誠 , honesty 恕 , kindness and forgiveness廉 , honesty and cleanness恥 , shame, judge and sense of right and wrong勇 , bravery溫 , kind and gentle良 , good, kindhearted恭 , respectful, reverent儉 , frugal讓 , modestly, self-effacing

Ethics

Influence17-century Europe:The works of Confucius were translated into European

languages through the agency of Jesuit (Society of Jesus) scholars stationed in China.

Translations of Confucian texts influenced European thinkers of the period, particularly among the Deists and other philosophical groups of the Enlightenment who were interested by the integration of the system of morality of Confucius into Western civilization.

InfluenceOn Islamic thought:From the late 17th century onwards a whole

body of literature known as the Han Kitab developed amongst the Hui Muslims of China who infused Islamic thought with Confucianism.

InfluenceIn modern times:Important military and political figures in modern

Chinese history continued to be influenced by Confucianism, like the Muslim warlord Ma Fuxiang.

The New Life Movement in the early 20th century was also influenced by Confucianism.

InfluenceIn modern times:There exists among political scientists and economists a

theory that Confucianism plays a large latent role in the ostensibly non-Confucian cultures of modern-day East Asia, in the form of the rigorous work ethic it endowed those cultures with. These scholars have held that Confucianism is the main reason why many of the people of the East Asia region have been able to modernize and industrialize as quickly as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and even China has done.

Relevance to today’s societyStill very much relevant in today’s society

Eighty Confucian centres in the US and more around the world are funded by the People’s Republic in China.

The society is embracing the ancient philosophy because of the spirit of openness and reform sweeping through many areas of Chinese life.

However, it is also due to the nature of Confucian ideas, which support the continuity of Chinese history, that the Communist ideology cannot be excluded.

Relevance to today’s societyDetrimental to today’s society

The idea of modelling one self after respected elders might explain why Chinese students have a hard time disagreeing or questioning their teachers. This could result in a rigid and narrow way of thinking, which could in turn cause for a lack of innovation and creative ideas

New ideas are suppressed for more established wisdoms.

An example could be the fact that civil service entrance exams still contain questions regarding esoteric texts that have no relevance whatsoever to the job.

QuotesEducation breeds confidence. Confidence breeds

hope. Hope breeds peace.By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by

reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

QuotesSuccess depends upon previous preparation, and

without such preparation there is sure to be failure.

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

Pat Zukeran. Confucius. Retrieved January 18th, 2015 from: http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/confucius.html

Dictionary.com, Define Confucianism at Dictionary.com. Retrieved January 18th, 2015, from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/confucianism?s=t

Wikipedia (2014). Confucianism. Retrieved January 18th, 2015, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism

The American Scholar, Confucianism in China Today by Paula Marantz Cohen. Retrieved January 18th, 2015, from: https://theamericanscholar.org/confucianism-in-china-today/#.VLtA7ltH0UU

Bibliography

Bibliography (Photos)● Gradesaver, Biography of confucius. Retrieved 18th January,

2015 from:http://www.gradesaver.com/author/confucius

● Glogster, Confucianism. Retrieved 18th January, 2015 from: http://www.glogster.com/sarahhennessey/confucianism/g-6mregunldg7vk74nko3rta0

(Background) Pixabay, blurred lights free images. Retrieved 18th January, 2015 from: http://pixabay.com/en/photos/blurred%20lights/

● Clipartpal, Open Book. Retrieved 18th January 2015 from: http://www.clipartpal.com/clipart_pd/education/openbook1.html

Thank youAny questions?