Confucianism

• Confucianism


  Ancient Chinese philosophy and ethical system founded by Confucius in the 5th century BCE
• Confucius


  • Born as Kong Fu Zi in the vassal state of Lu around 551 BCE
  • From a middle class family known as the "Shi"
  • Believed people should be rewarded based on their efforts and talents, not family
  • Witnessed political corruption and complacency as a government minister
  • Died in 479 BCE
• Mandate of Heaven


  Belief that the Chinese emperor had the right to rule because it was granted by gods or divine entities
• During the Warring States Period, the Mandate of Heaven was often challenged as warring states proclaimed to be the rightful ruler due to military prowess and traditional practices
• The Five Values of Confucianism

  • Benevolence (Ren)
  • Proper Rite (Li)
  • Righteousness (Yi)
  • Wisdom (Zhi)
  • Integrity (Xiao/Xin)
• Inner Nature (Ren)


  People must continue to be compassionate and being humans to others
• Outer Nature (Li)


  • Social nature or the actions of the person
  • Idea that somebody must perform their duties to contribute to society
• Confucian Beliefs


  • Grounded on the observance of hierarchies in society
  • Relationships between individuals are hierarchical and determine their role in society
• The 5 Different Relationships in Confucianism


  • Parent and child
  • Husband and wife
  • Elder sibling and younger sibling
  • Elder friend and junior friend
  • Ruler and subject
• The Analects


  A Confucian text that is a collection of Confucius' conversations, parables, and stories based on Confucian philosophy and morality
• The Analects has historical contentions due to unknown authorship, but is still considered influential in East Asian philosophical thought
• Legalist School of Thought


  • Humans were inherently evil and law was necessary to improve society
  • Believed humans were inherently selfish and lazy
  • Humanity is flawed and law needs to be strictly applied to ensure social harmony
• Mohist School of Thought


  • Humans are inherently evil but love and compassion can improve society
  • Believed moral education could balance a society's immoral doings
• Mencian School of Thought


  • Belief in a hierarchy of love and responsibility that allows humans to be good
  • Believed humans were inherently good-natured and would be good if raised in a good environment
• The introduction of Mahayana Buddhism in China resulted in some Buddhist beliefs being integrated into philosophies like Confucianism and Taoism
• Confucianism acknowledges the existence of heaven and higher beings, but does not have an explicit mention of a supreme god
• Statues of Confucius are venerated, taking after the Buddhist influences
• Today, Confucianism is still primarily practiced in China and Korea, and has some spread in Vietnam and Japan
• Confucianism is seen more as a philosophy than a religion, making it difficult to know the actual number of followers
• Migration and settlement of Chinese traders led to the establishment of Filipino-Chinese communities in the Philippines, who brought and adapted Confucian beliefs
• Two-Fold Nature (Natures of Confucianism)

  INNER NATURE (ren) - People must continue to be compassionate and being humans to others

  OUTER NATURE (li) - Social nature or the actions of the person - Idea that somebody must perform