Confucianism
2 min readThe cultures and thought of ancient Egypt and India, as well as those of Europe during the Middle Ages, all bear the brand of religious ideology. Ancient China is no exception. But by the eighth century BC, the status of the individual in China had already gradually surpassed that of the deities. This development gave rise to an early concept of humanism, with its recognition of the value of the individual and the human capacity for self-improvement.
Confucianism was founded by Confucius(Kongzi)(551-479 BC),a philosopher who lived during the Spring and Autumn Period(770-476 BC). Confucius inherited the early Chinese concept of humanism, and developed it into the foundation of China’s mainstream culture and thinking. Deeply humanistic, his philosophy emphasized the value of the individual and the cultivation of personal ethics, and thus the importance of developing superior moral character. Confucius emphasized the concepts of ren(benevolence) and li(propriety), which became central to later schools of Confucian thought.
Confucius believed that ren (benevolence) is expressed in four ways. First, the essence of ren (benevolence) is embodied in human beings, not in the deities. Confucius’s humanist outlook led him to attach greater importance to the affairs of Humanity than to the affairs of Heaven.
Second, taking humanism as his starting point, Confucius believed that moral human relationships, such as those between ruler and subject or father and son, were microcosms of social relationships. He felt that ren(benevolence) was the moral standard that should be pursued in interpersonal relations, and that it should mediate and harmonize both social an human interaction. Third, Confucius considered ren(benevolence) to be the highest goal of the individual, the root of personal morality, and the goal to which human nature aspires. He therefore taught that people of superior moral character must not relinquish ren(benevolence) for personal gain or fear of death, and should even be willing to sacrifice their lives to achieve it. Fourth, Confucius believed that people who have achieved ren(benevolence), and therefore have superior moral character, shall love all of humanity. This spirit of humanism, appearing between the 6th and 5th centuries BC, deeply influenced later ages in China. From it were born the traits of moderation, courtesy, and respect for others that so deeply characterize the Chinese people.
If the concept of ren (benevolence) is expressed in individual self-cultivation and superior moral character, li(propriety) can be found in social ethics and order. Confucian doctrine holds that the behavior of the individual should be subordinate to the ethical and moralrequirements of society. If the populace is able to refrain from seeing, hearing, saying, or doing anything that contravenes society’s moral and ethical standards, then every relationship, whether social, political, or personal, will approach the harmony of an ideal world.
