Confucianism
6 min readConfucianism is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture.Confucianism is usually regarded as a system of social and ethical philosophy rather than a religion，more a doctrine than a belief.It is a complete ideological system created by Confucius.Confucianism aims at making not simply the man of virtue，but the man of learning and of good manners.Confucianism dominated a feudal society as the state orthodoxy and came to dominate official thinking，culture，and education for 2000 years.
However，Confucianism experienced ups and downs in the history of Chinese civilization.
The geatest down fell in the Qin Dynasty.Qin Shihuang relied heavily on Legalist scholar-advisers in the unity of the whole country.To a certain extent，his ruling appeared too crule for the former aristocrats of the other states to accept.
They stood out to oppose Qin’S extreme measures by making use of Confucius books and ideas.Qin Shihuang was very angry.To silence criticism of his imperial rule，the First Emperor confiscated and burned the Confucian books and put to death many dissenting Confucian scholars.They were buriedalive.This deed is known in the history as“Burning Books and Burying Confucians”.
The greatest up was in the Han Dynasty.Han Wudi was the first person who unified the state ideaology with Confucianism.Dong Zhongshu suggested that Confucianism be made the orthodox philosophy，or official belief，and that all other schools of thought be discredited.Han Wudi took the suggestion and proscribed all non-Confucian schools of thought and espoused Confucianism as the state ideology ，thus pushing Confucius up into the orthodox position.For two thousand years thereafter，Confucianism had been the only one dominant school of thought under Heaven.
Confucius
Confucius is a great educationist，thinker and unsuccessful politician.
Confucius（551-479 BC）was born in the state of Lu（today’s Qufu in Shandong Province）during the Zhou Dynasty.He was from a declining aristocratic family，a center of culture and private education at the time.His father died when he was only three years old.Though poor and humble inhis childhood，Confucius was determined to become a learned person.He began his career as a teacher around the age of thirty.He set up his own study halls and gave private lessons.
Morover，he traveled around many states of China for 14 years，preaching to their rulers.His ideas and thoughts matched the time，and his teaching methods were fit for the students and learners.It is said he had 3，000 disciples，among whom there were 72 brilliant and famous disciples spreading and developing his ideas and succeeding in morality，literature，language，and especially politics.He dealt primarily with personal responsibility between men and women，parents and children，rulers and subjects.
Chinese education owes a great deal to Confucius in the same way American education owes to Jefferson.He invented the elicitation method nearly one hundred years earlier than the Socratic dialogue and was the first to challenge the spoon-feeding method of teaching.He advocated equality between teacher and student and encouraged students to form opinions of their own.His idea of teaching according to the student’s aptitude is still regarded as an important educational principle in China today，which goes with the new teaching theory”learner-centered teaching theory”.
Confucian Beliefs in Ethics Confucianism consists of many ideas.
Benevolence is essence of all his beliefs.In the book Analects the word“benevolence”appears sixty-six times.Benevolence is social virtues such as charity，magnanimity，sincerity，respectfulness，altruism，diligence，loving kindness，and goodness，which help to maintain social harmony and peace.In his own words“Benevolence is to love all” men.
Another important one is Filial Piety .Filial Piety has been regarded as the typical virtue of the Chinese nation.Confucius’another guiding belief was that of the philosophy Tian Ming or the influences of fate and mission.Tian Ming states that all things are under the control of the regulatory mechanism of heaven.This includes life and death，wealth and poverty，health and illness.Confucius believed that understanding Tien Ming was his life’s mission.He encouraged people to accept whatever happened to them，including death.
On the other hand，there are some negative ideas such ascontempt for working people and women.Some of the ideas have left lasting negative effects on the Chinese culture.For example，Nothing is nobler than learning ；three obediences and four virtues for women:obedience to the father before marriage，to the husbandafter the marriage and to the son after the death of the husband ；attention to their language，behavior，appearance and handwork .
Etiquette
Confucius’etiquette is shown in everyone’s daily life.
One should always appeare reverent and good-natured.When talking，one shouldn’t talk loudly.When speaking，one shoulddiscuss himself clearly and distinctively with a very cautious attitude.When walking，one should walk straight.One should not look all around，nor should he point at things with his fingers.All of these details make up the etiquette.
Righteousness
Confucius considered righteousness to be a basic requirement of a good person，stating that such a person would not seek to stay alive at the expense of injuring virtue.He encouraged people to uphold these moral principles and care for each other until death.His followers were exhorted to be loyal and dutiful toward family，kin，and neighbors，and to respect their superiors and the elderly.It demands people to behave with all moral qualities in every concrete situation，ready to help others and treat others with tolerance and honesty.Righteousness is doing what is appropriate for one’S role，as father，son，teacher，or student，for example.
Benevolence
Benevolence has also been translated as”humaneness”orsimplygoodness”.For Confucius，benevolence is the summation of human virtues.benevolence is a quality that every human should strive to achieve，but it is so exalted that Confucius is wary of attributing benevolence to anyone.Thus for Confucius，the good life is an endless aspiration for ethical.
In one traditional Confucian view，benevolence has two aspects:loyalty and reciprocity.Loyalty is considered a commitment to the Way ，while reciprocity means not inflicting on others that which you do not want yourself .An alternative view is that benevolence is the perfect combination of a much longer list of virtues，including loyalty，reciprocity，wisdom，courage，righteousness，filial piety，and faithfulness.Wisdom has several aspects，including being a good judge of the character of others.Courage is lack of fear in doing what is right.
Filial Piety
Filial piety is regarded as love within the family:love of parents for their children and of children for their parents.Ba-sically，flial piety is acting out of love and respect for one’S parents.And by extension，it means that wives owe to husbands，sisters to brothers，and everyone to ancestors.Far frombeing characterized by fear，the attitudes of the living toward the departed members of the family or clan are one of continuous remembrance and affection.
Trustworthiness
To be Trustworthy is close to being moral and it enables one’s words to be trusted.
Loyalty
Loyallty or faithfulness includes honesty in word，but also involves not being glib.Confucian loyalty is in no way a kind of slavish obedience，but even lays the duty upon man to criticize his own father or ruler if necessary.
A Virtuous Person
Only a few persons could try to become noble persons，exerting virtue against the society.A Virtuous Person is dignified，noble，magnanimous，humble and just.
An Inferior Person
In Confucius’view，an inferior person is mean，proud，crooked，and arrogant，clinging to material comfort，and expecting rewards and favors from others.
Society
Confucianism takes the view that five relationships constitute the society:husband and wife，parent and child，elder and younger brother，or generally elders and youngsters，Ruler and Minister or subject，friend and friend.
Rectification of names
Confucianism calls for a rectification of names.The right’names have social，spiritual，ritual and normative meanings.“No right names，no obedience of words.” Everybody has his fixed position to his neighbors，relatives，superiors and subordinated，with all his rights and duties.
Confucian Main Works are Analects ,the.Doctrine of the Mean ,the Great Learning ,and so on.They will be detailed in Chapter Three:IN literature Culture.
