Confucianism and Its
Modern Value
Confucius
The Main Difference
Compared with Western Christianism，the Confucianism
are different in the structure
Judgment and morals
norm can come from a
person himself,
Ideas come from the Jesus or
God or other systems.
Contents:
 Classical Confucianism
--- core value & characteristics
 Neo-Classical Confucianism
--- representatives and thoughts
--- characteristics
--- functions
 The Innovation of Neo-Classical Confucianism
--- Democracy
--- Reform
 The Development of Confucianism and Confucianism
Capitalism
--- applied in Policy Maker
--- applied in merchants
Philosophy of Classical Confucianism
 The core value of Confucianism is rén (仁).
 Rén is the virtue of perfectly fulfilling one's
responsibilities toward others, it’s most often
translated as "benevolence "or Goodness.
 Li, is described by using some forms of the word ‘ritual’, it
has also been translated as ‘etiquette' and ‘rules of proper
behavior’.
 Doctrine of the Mean (Classical Theory)
(Define "Mean" as an "Equilibrium" identified as "Harmony“)
While there are no excitings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind
may be said to be in the state of Equilibrium. When those feelings have
been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be
called the state of Harmony. This Equilibrium is the great root from which
grow all the human acting in the world, and this Harmony is the universal
path which they all should pursue
(Classical Theory)
Doctrine of the Mean
(Define "Mean" as an "Equilibrium" identified as "Harmony“)
While there are no excitings of pleasure, anger, sorrow,
or joy, the mind may be said to be in the state of
Equilibrium. When those feelings have been stirred,
and they act in their due degree, there ensues what
may be called the state of Harmony. This Equilibrium
is the great root from which grow all the human
acting in the world, and this Harmony is the universal
path which they all should pursue
Neo-Confucianism
Zhu Xi or Chu Hsi
He is a Confucian scholar in Song
Dynasty (A.D 960–1279)
The most influential rationalist
Neo-Confucian
He pushes Confucianism to a higher state,
which make it become a Confucianism
development milestone of the history
 Li (lĭ) is a concept found in Neo-Confucian Chinese
philosophy. It’s the principle that is in everything and
governs the universe. Each person has a perfect li.
 Individuals should act perfectly moral
 It may be translated as rational principle or law and
not to be confused with li
 The sum of Li is Taiji
His Achievements
 He added ideas from Daoism and
Buddhism into Confucianism.
 Zhu Xi Innovated Interpretation of the
Nature of Mind in Traditional
Confucianism
 The Impact of "Having Respect" upon
Zhu Xi's Cultivation of Mind
 Lì can be translated as Benefit
 This is doing the exact thing for the Benefit
reason.
 Lì is based upon one’s satisfaction.
 Yì can be translated as righteousness
 This is doing the right thing for the right
reason.
 Yì is based upon reciprocity.
How to Identify Gentleman vs Flunky
 In Confucianism's views,
Pursuing "benefit" to still pursue
"righteousness" is the basic difference of
mean person and gentleman.“ Benefit“ should
obey "righteousness“.
 Going "righteousness" is a person should
overcome man's natural nature, then
overcome benefit yourself to achieve morals
ideal.
Innovation of Neo-Confucianism
Huang Zongxi (1610-1695)
 Huang was notable for being one of the first
Neo-Confucians to stress the need for
constitutional law and considered as the father
of the Enlightenment in China
 Waiting for the Dawn was a summary of ideas
about political reform.
 The political tract begins with a condemnation
of selfish autocratic rule, and declares that the
world should belong to the people
Kang Youwei
 He was surely one of the first advocates of
Western communism in China.
Hundred Days' Reform
 In it, Kang proposed a utopian future world that
would be free of political boundaries, ruled by one
central government, but under democratic rule.
 This was unusual for a Confucian scholar during his
time. He believed that Western technological
progress had a central role in saving humanity.
 Neo-Confucianism was spread to North Korea, then
stream into Japan, once it become very popular in
Japan, which influence rather greatly.
 In Korea, People believe of various religion, but in
the ethics morally regard Confucianism as principle.
After the western civilization invade Korean society,
various social problem has increment, but the Korean
government use the ethics morals of Confucianism as
the check and supervision strength which supports a
social stability, turning a Confucianism in the
education deeply.
The Development of
Confucianism
 More than 156 Confucius Institute have been
set up around the world. Three of them are in
Canada, the famous one in Vancouver
In China, after 1984, the Fete
Ceremony for Confucius was
resumed
In Korea and Japan, almost
every year, this ceremony is
held by the government.
The Application of Neo-Confucianism
In East Asia
In China, Harmonious society
 This idea deviates China's focus from
economic growth to overall societal balance.
 Hu-Wen New Administration
President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao
have adopt more reform-oriented and more
open-minded policy.
Premier Wen always wear a overcoat which
has ten year history.
Confucianism Capitalism
 1. Collectivism vs Individualism
Example: Li Jiacheng
—The Li Ka Shing Foundation
To date, the sponsorships and commitments
approx.$ 990 million
 2. Doctrine of the Mean in Business
Competition
Stress to moderate and response. Appeal greatly and
together and save small difference, oppose
competing excessively
Conclusion
 The essence of Confucianism is commonalty
Confucianism. Its fundamental spirits is
maintaining society run harmoniously.
 Confucianism is not only the ancient Chinese
social govern and management theory, but also
compatible with democracy and political
theories, even with western democracy and
communism theory.