Confucius

China before Confucius

The “Yellow Emperor”Xia and Shang Dynasties

2070 B.C. - 1046 B.C.Zhou Dynasty

1046 B.C. - 256 B.C.“Spring and Autumn” period

770 B.C. - 476 B.C.

Confucius

Born in 551 B.C.died in 479 B.C.

Confucius' family and personal name respectively was Kong Qiu (孔丘  Kǒng Qiū). His courtesy name was Zhongni (仲尼  Zhòngní).

In Chinese, he is most often known as Kongzi (孔子  Kǒng Zǐ)

He is also known by the honorific Kong Fuzi (孔夫子  Kǒng Fūzǐ, literally "Master Kong").

His honorific name is "K'ung Fu-tzu".

The Latinized name "Confucius" is derived from "Kong Fuzi", and was first coined by 16th-century Jesuit missionaries to China, 

China is divided, chaotic, unsafe during Confucius’ lifetime

Confucianism

Concerned primarily with restoring social stability and order What is the basis of a stable, unified,

and enduring social order?a system of social and ethical

philosophy “only when character is cultivated are

our families regulated; only when families are regulated are states well governed.”

Confucianism

li rituals, norms, institutions, or mores,

demonstrations of respect the outer, conforming aspect of

Confucianismren

humaneness, love, kindness, benevolence, or virtue

the inner, reforming aspect of Confucianism

Li

Rites, ceremonies, proper behavior, and good manner

performed in good faith, with everyone keeping to his or her proper role

universal harmonyno need for physical sanctions, laws,

or punishment

Ren

Relationship between "two persons”extension of filial piety to all human

beingseach role in the hierarchy of social

relations had clearly defined duties reciprocity or mutual responsibility

Five relationships

father-childruler-subjecthusband-wifeelder brother-younger brotherfriend-friend

Confucianism

Persecuted in Qin Dynasty 221 B.C. - 206 B.C.

promoted by later rulers

Confucianism

reinforced by the civil examination system “keju”: civil examination- the idea that

those who are worthy deserve to be in charge or have higher levels of authority.

from 605 to 1905

In today’s China