I.

Introduction / Overview
A. Who is Confucius
Confucius is one of the most and influential of Chinese
philosophers. His ideas about creating social and political harmony
through good governance, proper human relations and individual moral
development shape Chinese thought and history for many centuries. He
did not pretend to be a prophet, but dedicated his whole life to save the
mankind. Confucius promised those who followed him no great riches, no
secrets for worldly power or fame. Instead of gold or glory, he spoke only
of a dream-a world where happiness, good, and peace would replace
misery, evil, and war.

B. What is Confucianism
Confucianism is humanism, a philosophy or attitude that is
concerned with human beings, their achievements and interests, rather
than with the abstract beings and problems of theology. Confucianism is a
system of social and ethical philosophy. It concerned primarily with
restoring social stability, practical wisdom, and order.

C. The Confucianism Symbol

Confucianism symbol means the “code of conduct”. It represents the

source of life, also called the water symbol.

II. Confucianism

A. VIRTUES
 The central idea of Confucius is that every normal human being
cherishes the aspiration to become a superior man- superior to his fellow if
possible, but surely superior to his own past and present self. Superior
man(Junzi; Chun-tze or gentleman) embodies humanity- one who possess a
totality of superior human qualities. According to Confucius “Superior man
thinks only of virtue; common man thinks only of comfort”. There are some
important virtues which constitute to the ethical concept of confucianism.
These are the following.

 Jen ( Benevolence)
- Generally means human-heartedness. Being kind and humane to your fellow
beings. It is the ultimate foundation of Confucianism: “the essence of all
virtues and the ground of human dignity.” In universal and particular
perspectives, it is the primary principle of human actions in the former and
principle of moral justification in the latter. Jen is about understanding each
other without being overly judgmental.
- Notion of Benevolence; understand what is right and behaves accordingly.
Extending our filial love for parents and family to all living things.
“Respond to it with peace and order, and good fortune will result. Respond
to it with disorder, and disaster will follow”.
- Example:

 Li (Prop)
- Li sets the “form of moral life” and “the proper ritual of a civilized life.”
As propriety, Li pertains to the “rule and conduct that reflects a person’s
goodwill”: doing things in a right way and virtue that forms man’s conduct.
Li is aided by Jen for one to show for others. To act in honorable way and
respect elders, ancestors and family members. It is about social etiquette and
mannerism. It is also an important step for social acceptance.
- Notion of Action before Word; “the truly good man first practices what
he preaches and then preaches what he practices”. Before we ask others to change
their actions, we should first change our own actions.
- Example:

 Yi (Honesty and Uprightness)

- About righteousness, appropriateness, obligation and justice. Yi is about
setting things right and proper. Upholding what is right above everything
else and sacrificing oneself for it if needed. Yi was divided into two; Zhong-
conscientiousness, loyalty and doing one’ s best; Shu- reciprocity, altruism,
consideration for others, an early version of the “Golden Rule”.
- Golden Rule; “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others”
  Wu-Lun (Filial Piety)
- In family relationships Confucianism teaches the importance of filial
piety, or honoring one’s parents and worshipping one’s ancestors.
- Hsiao; love for the immediate family and the society. Principle of love of
parents for their children and of children for their parents
- Chug; Loyalty to one’s family and to one’s country.
- Example:

 Xi and Zhi
- Xi is the virtue of learning, natural capacity or desire to learn. One who
is ignorant or does not desire to learn is in danger of leading foolish
existence and spreading folly among other people. Zhi is the virtue of
character of the person. Both Zhi and Xi state that a person is neither
created good nor bad but is free to choose how he or she will learn,
grow and progress.
- Example: Someone might be born into a family of criminals, but it is up
for them whether they will choose a path of immorality or morality.

III. Conclusion

In conclusion, Confucianism was a philosophy; an outline of moral, social,

spiritual and political aspects. It is the philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius
who was one of the most important and influential Chinese philosophers. Confucianism
teaches the people during the age of philosopher to learn how to respect and help each
other in a better way. Confucianism teaches that people can be good by their own efforts
if they just follow rules of good conduct. Confucianism teaches the aspects of loving and
respecting one another and to pay respect to the elders and ancestors.

Confucian thought focuses on the cultivation of virtue in a morally organised

world. Some of the basic Confucian ethical concepts and practices include jén, yì, and lǐ,
and zhì. Jén ('benevolence' or 'humaneness') is the essence of the human being which
manifests as compassion. It is the virtue-form of Heaven. Yi, is the upholding of
righteousness and the moral disposition to do good. Lǐ, is a system of ritual norms and
propriety that determines how a person should properly act in everyday life in harmony
with the law of Heaven. Xi, is the virtue of learning, humans can never stop learning;
meaning that knowledge is infinite, therefore humans will always learn, never stopping.
Zhì, is the ability to see what is right and fair, or the converse, in the behaviors exhibited
by others. Confucianism holds one in contempt, either passively or actively, for failure to
uphold the cardinal moral values of jén and yì.