1. Aim: to what extent does Confucianism attempt to bring order to society? Confucianism

2. Where?

3. Founder When? Whom? Confucius (K’ung-fu-tzu) (551-479 BCE) Was there a founder?

4. Confucianism His teachings were later refined and spread by Mencius (Meng Tzu). Ironically Mencius is probably more responsible for the spread of Confucianism than… Confucius.

5. Background to Confucianism Dynastic warfare and division broke out in the Zhou Dynasty (+/- 1000 BCE – 256 BCE) starting in 771 BCE and lasting until 221 BCE. China was ravaged by chaos and disorder during a time period known as the Warring States. How could one establish order in society? By utilizing a moral philosophy by which people could live their lives. One that stressed order

6. Five Relationships Husband and wife Parent and child (Filial Piety) Elder and younger brother, or generally of elders and youngsters Ruler and Minister or subject Friend and friend. Taken from The Analects

7. How might the Five Relationships help establish order in society?

9. Texts The Analects (a total of twenty books): The thoughts and sayings of Confucius, including conversations between the master and his pupils. The Five Classics (books) collected after Confucius’ death during the Zhou Dynasty and considered to be great examples of Confucian thinking.

10. Why would such a philosophy make sense during a time of political anarchy and why might political rulers (Emperors etc.) really like this philosophy? The answer isn’t going to fly in from the right. Think!

11. FIN