Confucianis m Knowing Your Place

China’s Feudal Age  China was divided into many warring kingdoms - No unity, anarchy reigned.  K’ung Fu-tzu ( BC) worked for city-state of Lu.  Wondered why things were bad??? Did he exist? Was he created as a foil to Christian evangelism? Name means “Master Teacher” and ideas predate his existence. Depictions show in wrong clothing

The Master Finds His Answer  Looked into distant past to a time of order  King Wu Wang & the Duke of Zhou  The Duke knew his place & accepted it.  Chaos in present b/c people acted outside of social status CONFUCIUS

Develops “Confucianism” for PEACE & STABILITY  Rigid Social hierarchy based on social relationships and mutual obligations  5 Key Relationships 1) Emperor to subject 2) father to son 3) husband to wife 4) older to younger brother 5) friend to friend

“Face”, the Glue of the System  You must appear to be that which you are.  If not, you have broken the relationship and no obligations exist.  Don’t humiliate others as that makes them “lose face” Face in China in Business

The Emperor’s Role  Mandate of Heaven  Emperor rules because god chose him to be born as  If he loses face, citizens don’t have to treat him as emperor…  REVOLUTION!!!

A Man’s First Responsibility is in Service to the Emperor  Chun-tzu = educated upper class. Work to support & maintain the system  Law of Avoidance = b/c of 5 Key Relationship’s emphasis on family, chun- tzu must work away from home to avoid nepotism

What of Women??? What of Women???  NO authority outside home. But as chun-tzu worked elsewhere, women ran the home  AND FOOTBINDING???  Used to set upper class women apart to show class ONE OF THE LAST WOMEN WITH BOUND FEET

Modern Beauty Rituals who are we to judge???

The Analects of Confucius  Confucian “Bible”  Book of Quotations from Confucius  Tells how to live in the middle and to avoid excess in any form.

Along Comes Chu Hsi  Retooled Chinese philosophy by adding in Buddhist elements = NEO- CONFUCIANISM  Now a religion  Supreme Ultimate (god) = the force  Li and Chi

Confucian Society  1) Farmers were at the top (produce food to maintain order). Then 2) Police (provide the order) then 3) Artisans (make tools for top two).  4) Merchants on bottom (opposite Europe, reason for relative decline)

Confucianism in our world  Authority more important than rights  Education important  Peace and order essential  Use of military means balance has been lost  Teaching Confucius today Teaching Confucius today Teaching Confucius today