Confucianism

---Confucius lived in a period of Chinese history when civil war, banditry, and general social decay prevailed ---Fundamental problem: how to bring about an orderly society ---This problem understood by C to depend on individuals acting rightly ---Other philosophical schools flourished in this period, including "Legalism" -- a moral philosophy that held that laws must be created and enforced absolutely to bring people into line ---Legalism begins with the assumption that human nature is basically selfish and evil, and only harsh punishments will !eep people"s behavior within the bounds of law ---Confucianism ta!e the opposite view: #uman nature is basically good, but they need to be reminded of correct behavior $"The mandate of heaven"% $later Confucians would debate human nature but all agreed about the central role of the mandate of heaven% Confucian ethics Glorification of the past ---C loo!ed bac! to a happier past $a "golden age"% ---ethics attempt to restore the old principles of Li, &en, 'i, Te, (hu% Li /LEE/ (propriety, etiquette, ritual, norms) ---how we "ought" to behave in social situations ---proper manners, respect for others, decorum, etc including religious ritual ---essential for avoiding conflict with others and promoting ) preserving harmony ---two components: $*% relationships between people+ $,% situations people are in The five relationships -uler-sub.ect Father-son #usband-wife /lder brother-younger brother /lder friend-younger friend 01: hierarchal 01: mostly 0OT "of e2uals" e3cept friend-friend 01: still, all are reciprocal /ven the ruler is governed by Li relative to sub.ect 01: 456 are familial relationships (ituations are not as easily enumerated, but Confucius insisted we must be mindful of the situations we are in, and not .ust relationships 7re we at a wedding, a funeral, at home, in public, etc 8 -ight conduct will vary according to the situation too Li must be learned in society 1ut humans also have inborn 2ualities relevant to ethics

Jen /REN/ (human-heartedness, ene!olence, rotherly lo!e) 7gain, hard to translate 9t is what ma!es humans human 9t is the social instinct, brotherly love, care for others, fellowship, or benevolence Three aspects: $*% virtue of loving one"s fellows $,% virtue of respecting oneself ) doing what is proper $4% establishing ) perfecting oneself in order to establish ) perfect others Can be e3pressed, in part, as the "silver rule" $do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire% 7ll other virtues are founded on &en Li " Jen &en is internal virtue, e3pressed outwardly in Li #i /EE/ (ri$hteousness) Two parts: $*% perceiving the ob.ective 2uality in a situation $,% moral sense we use to apply &en to the situation Thus, 'i is what allows us to transform &en into Li 9t is the "moral sense" 01: right behavior will be situational -- we should act differently to strangers, friends, family, etc %e /&'(/ (!irtue, moral force, $ood conduct) The "virtues" of Confucianism are ---.ustice ---propriety ---courage ---wisdom ---sincerity ---conscientiousness ---filial piety $:iao% ---altruism5reciprocity $(hu% (hu ; silver rule

%he Chun-t)u /J'N-*'/ (the ideal Gentleman) ---The (age perfected all virtues ---1ut this is obviously not something everyone can achieve ---7 more modest goal: become a gentleman $Chun-t<u% Chun-t<u ---strives for moral e3cellence ---ma!es mista!es but learns from them ---see!s common good, not .ust own profit ---if only the government officials were all Chun-t<u, harmony would be restored to the state +ro lems, ---=hat if duties to others come into conflict8 $'ou brother needs help, but helping him hurts your friend 'our ruler wants you to help prosecute your father /tc % #ow do we decide among conflicting L98 ---=as the past really a golden age8 #ow important is this to the system8