Golden Rule: Principle of Reciprocity
● basic virtue or proper conduct is knowing
how to act in relation to others (five cardinal
relationships)
● moral character is perfected by continuously
taking every opportunity to improve oneself
in thought and action
Five Virtues in Confucianism:
goal is to be “Chun Tzu” (superior person; the man
with a cultivated moral character) which can be
manifested through;
1. Ren (Human Goodness/Humaneness)
● ultimate virtue: to love others
● ideal person reflection of the person’s own
understanding of humanity.
● it represents the perfection of what it means
to be human
2. Li (Propriety)
● the proper conduct and cultural practices for
in every situation that reflects a person’s
goodwill
● these are customs, ceremonies and
traditions. conforms to the norms of
humanity
● behavior is useless without benevolence;
(the quality of being well meaning;
kindness)
The FIVE Constant/Cardinal Relationship
(everyone has duties and responsibilities)
a) subject to ruler, b) son to father, c) younger
brother to older brother, d) wife to husband (woman
to man), and e) younger person to older person.
each relationships implies a hierarchy between the
two (that should be earned)
3. Xiao (Filiaty Piety)
● “reverence for family” (family is reflection of
the person)
● respect for one’s parents and ancestors
● profound respect for one’s living elders
● to love others or to care for others
4. Yi (Rightness/Reciprocity)
● if you want to realize for yourself, you must
also help other realize for themselves
● right way of behaving; actions should be
performed because they are right and not
for selfish benefits that they provide.
● Golden rule: Do not do unto others what you
do not want others to be done unto you.
5. Zhi (Wisdom)
● in terms of discerning right and wrong
● if you have "wisdom" you also have reason.
you have discretion regarding good and evil,
right and wrong, what is acceptable or not
acceptable to do.
● has capacity to make correct judgements
and decision
Confucianism strongly emphasizes:
● Mercy
● Social order
● Fulfillment of Responsibilities
Two essential ideas: producing individuals who
could be leaders and creating a harmonious
society.
Self as “Community” At least 3 minutes in length for each assigned topic.

Eastern Thoughts
● its emphasis is relational rather than
individual
● the self is considered not in isolation but in
relation to others, society, and the universe
● they offer a variety of techniques for
cultivating a deeper understanding the self
● they do not utilize the scientific techniques
of investigation

Confucianism
Code of ethical content; focused on having a
harmonious social life
- able to share your identity in the status of
your community

The individual’s greatest mission of attaining

self-realization wherein self-cultivation is
instrumental first.

Self Cultivation (the ultimate purpose of life) -

achieved the characteristics of “Chun Zhu”, you
should be able a man of virtue or a noble character
that your life still embedded in social relationships.

Self-cultivation could be accomplished by knowing

one’s role in society and act accordingly.

Cultivated/Subdued Self (for the good of many) -

able to control your personal needs or repressed
ideas for the good of many.

Based on Confucian thought, moral character is

perfected by continuously taking every opportunity
to improve oneself in thought and action.