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Kong Fu Tzu
Born in 551 B.C.E.
died in 479 B.C.E.
Kong Fu Tzu
Time to focus
What is life truly about?
For Kong it is about social order, and the
betterment of society as a whole.
Do you agree?
Additionally, society is male dominated as
was shown to Kung during his early life.
By the way, the name is a
mispronunciation. He would never have
known the name Confucius.
Confucianism
Confucius believed that teaching and
learning was the way to improve self,
family, and society as whole
Concerned primarily with restoring social
stability and order
What is the basis of a stable, unified, and
enduring social order?
Human Qualities
What is maturity?
What is the highest human virtue?
What is the best way to behave?
How can one be a cultured
person?
How can one best govern?
Confucian Virtues
Tao = the Universal Way
Chun-tzu = mature person - this person has such
abundant virtures that he or she is able to
contribute to the improvement of society.
Jen = supreme virtue = perfect form of
benevolence - doing ones best to treat others
the way you would like to be treated.
Li = proper behavior = behaving properly given
the situation at hand.
Wen = a cultured person. Music, poetry, archery,
calligraphy.
Te- virtue shown through the power of example.
Human Relationships
Self = the center of all relationships and is
constantly changing and growing towards
maturity.
Family = each person has a clear sense of
place and purpose. Good behavior and
respect for elders are important in the family.
Government = the leader has acquired the
moral perfectionm needed to lead by the
power of example.
Heaven = represents the ultimate moral force
that guides and nurtures humanity.
Confucian Relationships
father-child
ruler-subject
husband-wife
elder brother-younger brother
friend-friend
True Gentleman?
How would you define a true
gentleman?
What characteristics would they
posses?
According to Confucius, the True
Gentleman was supposed to be a
moral beacon for the rest of society
Questions
Why was it difficult for Confucius to obtain
government posts where he could
influence Chinese life on a larger scale?
What did you find to be the essential
teachings of Confucianism?
What was your favorite Confucius quote
and why?
Do you consider Confucianism a world
religion? Explain why or why not?