1. Chinese Philosophies and Religions

2. Confucianism Learning Objective:
Students will 1) gain an overview of the beliefs of Confucius and 2) will be able to describe how Confucianism influenced Imperial China.

3. What is Confucianism?
Confucianism is a philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius, who lived in China from 551 to 479 B.C.
Philosophy: a way of thinking and behaving (study of ideas)

4. Think/Pair/Share A’s tell B’s what a philosophy is B’s tell A’s
I will now pick someone to explain to the class

5. Fill in Your Graphic Organizer
Who?
Who?
Where?
Where?
When? .
When?
Impact on Imperial China:
Today
Today
Philosophy
Beliefs
Beliefs
YIN and YANG
Confucianism

6. Confucianism Daoism Who? Confucius Chinese philosopher Who? Where?
When?
China
551 B.C. .
When?
Impact on Imperial China
Today
Today
Philosophy
Beliefs
Beliefs
YIN and YANG
Confucianism
Daoism

7. Confucian Beliefs
Confucius’s ideas focused on creating a peaceful society
Proper conduct (behavior) in all things
Respect for elders
Education
Government service

8. Confucian ideas focused on 5 relationships
1. ruler and subject
2. parent and child
3. husband and wife
4.sibling and sibling
5. friend and friend
Sibling: brother or sister
In each relationship, some were above and some were below.
Those above should be kind to those below, and those below should respect and obey those above.
Example: A ruler should be kind to his people, and the people should be loyal and obey the ruler.

9. Whiteboards!
What values did Confucius believe would create a peaceful, stable society?
A. Proper conduct
B. respect for elders
C. education
D. government service
E. All of the above

10. Whiteboards!
What values did Confucius believe would create a peaceful, stable society?
E. All of the above

11. Whiteboards According to Confucius, rulers had a duty to
A. Expand the empire
B. Treat all people equally
C. Be kind to their subjects
D. Ask everybody’s opinion

12. Whiteboards According to Confucius, rulers had a duty to
C. Be kind to their subjects

13. Confucianism Daoism Who? Confucius Chinese philosopher Who? Where?
When?
China
551 B.C. .
When?
Impact on Imperial China
Today
Today
Philosophy
Beliefs
Beliefs
Use right relationships to
Produce social order
Respect family and elders
Educate everyone
Act in morally correct ways
Government service
YIN and YANG
Confucianism
Daoism

14. Confucianism’s Influence on Imperial China
Chinese rulers felt that government workers who had studied Confucius would be rational, moral, and able to maintain order.
Confucius’s ideas became the basis of civil service exams in China, starting in the Han dynasty
Civil service exam: a test required to become a government worker

15. Chinese today continue to practice many of Confucius’s ideas.
By the time of the Song dynasty, a true meritocracy was created. People from all classes could study the teachings of Confucius and work for the government.
Meritocracy: rule by officials of proven merit (worth)
Briefly, under the rule of the Mongols, Confucianism was not seen as important, and Chinese lost key government jobs to Mongols and foreigners.
After China re-established their own government under the Ming dynasty, Confucianism again became an important influence in Chinese life.
Chinese today continue to practice many of Confucius’s ideas.

16. Confucianism Daoism Who? Confucius Chinese philosopher Who? Where?
When?
China
551 B.C. .
When?
Impact on Imperial China
Confucianism influenced the Chinese government
Han Dynasty-Basis of Civil Service Exams
Song
dynasty- have a meritocracy
Today
Today
Philosophy
Beliefs
Beliefs
Use right relationships to
Produce social order
Respect family and elders
Educate everyone
Act in morally correct ways
Government service
YIN and YANG
Confucianism
Daoism

17. Confucianism Daoism Who? Confucius Chinese philosopher Who? Where?
When?
China
551 B.C. .
When?
Impact on Imperial China
Confucianism influenced the Chinese government.
Han Dynasty-Basis of Civil Service Exams
Song
dynasty- have a meritocracy
Today
Today
5 million people
Influences
Chinese life
Philosophy
Beliefs
Beliefs
Use right relationships to
Produce social order
Respect family and elders
Educate everyone
Act in morally correct ways
Government service
YIN and YANG
Confucianism
Daoism

18. Think / Pair / Share
Tell your partner in your own words how Confucianism influenced Imperial China.
A’s tell B’s
B’s tell A’s
I will now pick students to explain to the class.