29
Chapter 10: Confucius and Confucianism
Chapter Objectives
After Reading this chapter, the student should be able to:
• Describe the historical background of Confucius and his influence on classic Chinese
philosophy.
Chapter Summary
The second great tradition to arise from China is Confucianism. Confucianism differs
from Daoism in its identification with a single person and in its philosophical focus. There is a
considerable written record for Confucius, though as is often the case the distinction between his
original writing and the editorial modifications of his followers is often difficult to ascertain. The
corruption of Chinese government at the time of his life was a strong influence on his outlook
and his philosophical focus which is contained in the Four Books (Analects, The Great Learning,
Though primarily a teacher of ethics Confucius was not without some religious
expression. However, reason and a social purpose for the ritual or worship was the key to his
acceptance. In short, when one practices moral law, one does the will of heaven.
After the death of Confucius, his followers consolidated his works and began the spread
30
distinctive character. Neo-Confucianism was helped by the tendency of the Chinese to retreat
into themselves in response to outside invasions and cling to that which is uniquely Chinese.
Zhu-Xi was instrumental in this process. Eventually, Confucianism became practically
synonymous with the State though not without revisions by the Maoist regime and attempts by
modern scholars to develop a more complex and flexible “modern Confucianism”
Chapter Outline
I. Introduction
II. The Man Confucius
III. The Teachings of Confucius
A. Present Estimate of the Sources
B. The Ethical Principles of Confucius
E. Religious Teaching
IV. The Confucian School—Its Rivals and Champions
A. The Formation of the Confucian School
B. Rival Views
1. The Daoists
2. The Mohists
3. The Legalists (Fa-Jia)
C. Mencius: Spokesman for Confucian “Orthodoxy”
D. Xun-zi (Hsün Tzu): The“Heterodox” Champion
B. Wang Yang-ming: The Power of Mind
VI. The State Cult of Confucius
A. State Sponsored Veneration
Discussion Questions
1. Despite Mao Zedong’s wish to exclude religion’s place in modern Chinese society,
Confucianism was not eclipsed in cultural tradition. Its influence ebbed and flowed
throughout the 20th century. How did modern initiatives like “Let One Hundred Flowers
Bloom,” the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution affect the influence of
Confucianism on Chinese society?