1. China – Classic Philosophy

2. Confucius – Still Relevant?

3. 1960s – China Cultural Revolution

6. Confucius’ Tomb Destroyed

7. 2008 Beijing Olympics Torch Run at Confucius’ Birthplace

8. Opening Ceremony – “Harmony”

9. Shang & Chou Dynasties

10. Yellow River basin – earliest cultures
Shang dynasty (1,520 -1,000 BCE)
Zhou dynasty (1,000 – 221 BCE)
- Warring States period ( 475 – 221 BCE) aka
Period of One Hundred Schools
Stimulus to lively debate
Biggest problems were social & ethical

11. What does it take for people to get along with each other?
How best achieve “social harmony?”

12. Spiritual
- Buddhism from India
- *Daoism (Taoism)
Ethical
- *Confucianism
Practical
- Legalists (used by Qin starting in 221 BCE)

13. Daoism
- developed by Lao Zi
- Tao = The Way
- emphasis is spiritual, passivity & resignation
- central image of Taoist art: flowing water
- Follow one’s own nature, whether good or bad
Legalism
- practical
- strong, central state with law & order

14. Confucianism Not religion per se, but secular morality
Based on morality & ethics
Drew from common Chinese tradition
- strong family loyalty, filial piety
- ancestor veneration
- respect of elders by children and husbands
by wives
- family is basis of ideal government

15. Confucius venerated history
Saw the present as a continuation of history
Veneration of ancestors
Theory of “the mandate of heaven” from Zhou dynasty until 1911 end of imperial system
Rulers need to demonstrate virtues

16. No systemic theory
Wanted disciples to master & internalize
older classics
Superiority of personal exemplification over explicit rules of behavior, “virtue ethics”
Best to have skilled judgment, not detailed
knowledge of the rules

17. Encourage the virtuous & wise to enter government service through competitive exams
Government civil service on classics & Confucius lasted until 1905

18. Five inherent, inner virtues
- righteousness
- inner integrity
- love of humanity
- altruism
- loyalty
Acquire two external virtues
- Culture or education
- Sense of decorum or ritual

19. Confucius teachings = Chinese example of humanism
Philosophical position emphasizing the value and agency of human beings
Affirms peoples’ ability to improve their lives through the use of reason and ingenuity, as opposed to submitting blindly to tradition or authority or reverting to cruelty & brutality

20. Confucius never addressed the central question “Is human nature basically evil or good?”
Confucius: All are the same at birth, but their upbringing makes them good or bad.
Confucius’ main disciples: people are born good
Example: child about to fall into a well

21. How then explain violence & brutality in world?
(St. Augustine addresses same issue.)
Essential problem is failure to educate children
EX: Seeds in the ground need water & care
Ruler should rule by virtue, not laws & force