Confucianism

What does it mean to be ethical?

Who was Confucius?
He was born in 551 B.C. within the Spring and Autumn
period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty in the Chinese
state of Lu.
Entering the world on the cusp of the Warring States
Period (476-221 B.C.)
In his later years he worked as a Minister of Justice in
the state of Lu, where he witnessed the immoral actions
of his peers. He left to enlighten himself.
Many did not and would not take him seriously, leading
for him to return home to the state of Lu. Transmitting Kong Fuzi
and teaching all he learned into a set of books: The Five
Classics.
His Teachings
Confucius relied on analogy and wise sayings
- “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble
without.”
Confucius promoted learning in all aspects of life,
studying the world around you, and most importantly
improving yourself.
Confucius also promoted the Mandate of Heaven!
The Basic Tenets of
Confucianism
- Humanity is the center of heaven and Earth
- Human nature is generally good.
- Cultural wisdom demands respect for age
and authority.
- Success of the state depends on proper
conduct of the ruler.
- The family group is the foundation of society
- An orderly society, is one in which all know
and do what is expected of them
 Confucius’s Engine

You are here

 The Five Relationships
Superior / Inferior

01 02 03
Ruler / Subject Father / Son Husband / Wife
President / Citizen Parent / Child Partner / Partner

04 05
Older Brother / Younger Brother
Friend / Friend
Older Sibling / Younger Sibling
Confucius Philosophy: The
seven tenets
1. Jen: Humaneness
2. Chun-tzu: Gentleman/Gentlewoman
3. Li: Respect for ritual
4. Te: Virtue
5. Wen: The art of peace
6. Filial Piety: Duties to living and dead
7. Shu: Reciprocity
Jen: Humaneness
It can also be translated as “goodness” or
“compassion”
Based upon empathy and understanding of others
Having respect for oneself and treating others with
respect
Placing someone else’s interests before yourself
It is the virtue of virtues and no mortal has ever
perfected it
This can be summed up in Confucius’ Golden Rule:
“What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to
others.”
In the political aspect, a ruler should treat their
people with love and concern
How can you incorporate this into your life?
CHUN-TZU: GENTLE - One who lives by Jen and is neither petty,
PERSON arrogant, mean-spirited, or vengeful
They are comfortable with themself and
respectful to those they meet
Lives by a set of moral values and virtues
Demonstrates respect and loyalty towards
family, friends, government, and spouse
Has the ability to judge what the right thing to
do in a given situation
They are in control of their emotions
An example of someone with
Chun-Tzu could be Po from Kung Fu
Panda
 LI: RESPECT FOR RITUAL
The way you conduct yourself in everyday life that is worthy of respect
Acting appropriately at the proper time; what is ethically best to do
Suppressing your own desires to act in the best interest of your family,
friends, and community
Mastering Li will lead you on the path to goodness and becoming an
ethical person
Many of these “rituals” or “customs” are things we do everyday
unknowingly
Let’s say you are meeting your significant other’s parents—how do you
act in accordance with li?
 Te: Virtue
What characterizes a superior government or
ruler
It’s a type of moral power that allows a ruler to
win the respect of the people without being
oppressive
To maintain and cultivate this virtue a ruler must
practice Li and Ren
They act in the best interest of their people
This ruler displays ethical and moral behavior
which enables them to maintain order; people are
more willing to follow the ruler
 WEN: THE ART OF PEACE
The cultivation of aesthetics, music, art, and poetry
Confucius highly valued the arts as an instrument of
moral education
He emphasized the Six Arts which is necessary for
becoming a gentleman: ritual, music, archery,
chariot-riding, calligraphy, and mathematics
The moral character of a gentleperson or state is
conveyed through a mastery of the arts
Look at the arts of today-music, movies, plays-is our
society enriched? Is art defined differently today?
FILIAL PIETY: DUTIES TO LIVING AND DEAD
Considered the greatest virtue of Confucian ethics
It’s the duty to be respectful of your parents and ancestors
This consists of obeying your parents, taking care of them, honoring their name,
be able to support them financially, do not be rebellious, and properly honor
your ancestors through worship and sacrifice
This relationship is extended to Five Relationships
1. Sovereign to subject
2. Parent to child
3. Husband to wife
4. Older brother to younger brother
5. Friend to friend
In our culture, how do we treat our parents differently?
 SHU: RECIPROCITY
Everyone is in some type of relationship—parent to child, friend
to friend, partner to partner
In each of these relationships there are mutual actions and
reactions
Each person must carry out their part of the relationship
Example: a child owes the parent obedience and the parent
owes the child care and love
In each relationship there is also a sense of loyalty one has for
the other
Confucius says “shu” can be used as a guide to conduct one’s life.
In your relationships, what are your duties as a friend, student,
and child?
 Confucianism Skit Activity
7 Groups
Each group will be responsible for creating two skits (1.5-2.5min)
The first skit will be a dramatization emphasizing the presence of
your group’s tenet and the second will be a dramatization
emphasizing the absence of your group’s tenet.
Each group must write a script and each person in the group must
have a part to play
You will have 25 minutes to come up with your skits before
performing them to the class!
 Exit Ticket!
On your sticky note - pick one quote and explain how it relates to
your own journey through life

1. To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it.

2. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
3. I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
4. Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
5. To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage and
principle.
Confucianism
in modern
day