KEY BELIEFS OF CHINA CONFUCIANISM

MAIN POINTS OF CONFUCIANISM O Kung Fu Zu lived from 551 B.C.E. to 479 B.C.E. This was a period of disruption and chaos. O Confucius deeply respected Chinese traditions for ancestry and the honor given to scholars. O Confucius believed that the government needed to change in order for there to be peace and order. O The goal of Confucianism was to create a just and peaceful society.

CONFUCIUS BELIEVED STRONGLY: O Rulers needed to govern wisely. O Only men of good character and ability should work as government officials. O There should be a deep reverence for ancestors and traditional Chinese rituals. O From these beliefs, he developed the philosophy of Confucianism.

Confucianism O Government exists for the well-being of the people, not for the benefit of the rulers. O Government should put aside invasion and war and work for the good of their own country. O Only well-educated people should serve in the government. To become a government official, one had to pass a civil service exam.

RULES AND LAWS O For people to act morally, a good government is necessary. O People need laws to follow. O There will be chaos without rules or laws. O Poor government with tyrannical rulers and bad laws influences people to do wrong, while virtuous rulers, and good laws encourage people to do good.

MERITOCRACY O Support of Confucius’ ideas encouraged the creation of a meritocracy in China. This means officials have to prove their merit or ability by passing a civil service exam. O Government officials should be appointed based on ability and not family ties. (nepotism)

BEST INTERESTS OF OTHERS O People should know their place in society and act for society’s welfare instead of their own self-interests. The group is more important than the individual. O What is best for the group is more important that what is best for you.

LI AND REN O Li is the practice of doing the right thing – people act in the interests of the group rather than the interests of themselves. O Li= the action

LI AND REN O Ren is the inner attitude of being humane, loving, and good. O You do things for the right reasons, not because you are going to get some kind of external reward O Ren= the motivation behind the action

LI AND REN O Confucius believed that when Li and Ren are practiced in all relationships, them all is orderly and fair. O Doing the right thing for the right reason. O Li and Ren are required for the act to be moral. If you are not doing the right thing for the right reason, it doesn’t count.

FAMILY O According to Confucius, family is where people learn moral behavior and filial piety, which is respect that a child shows to a parent. O Confucius believes that life is made up of relationships.

RELATIONSHIPS O Confucius’ relationships are based on rank (orders). O Each person in an inferior (lower) position owes respect and obedience to those above him or her. O Those in a superior (higher) position are expected to care for and set a good example for those below them. O He believed that society worked best when people acted properly based on their roles and their relationships with others.

5 ESSENTIAL SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS O Ruler  Subject O Father  Son O Friend  Friend O Husband  Wife O Older Sibling  Younger Sibling