We will describe the life and teachings of Confucius. Concept Development Confucius (551 B.C.E – 479 B.C.E) was a Chinese philosopher concerned with social and political ideas. • Confucius was a real person, but myth and legend have been added over the centuries. Confucianism is a set of philosophical1 ideas about how people should act to make a more harmonious2 society. • Confucianism is a complex system of moral, social, political, and philosophical thought. • Confucianism has influenced the cultural development of many Eastern countries. China, Japan, and much of Southeast Asia has brought Confucian ideals into their societies as rules of proper behavior. Although Confucianism is not directly religious, it is a foundation for Taoism3. Describe the life and teachings of Confucius. The Five Constant Virtues are the five major ethical rules of Confucianism: Five Constant Virtues Ren or Humanity Yi or Righteousness Li or Ritual Zhi or Wisdom Xin or Faithfulness Ren is a Confucian version of the Golden Rule4. Yi is the moral character to do what is right. In Confucianism, morality is often portrayed as the shadow cast by humanity (Ren) and righteousness (Yi). Li is both official ceremony and the politeness which shapes everyday life. Zhi is the wisdom that anyone in an official position should have. Xin is the ability to keep one’s promises and avoid conflict. CFU What has Confucianism influenced? A. China B. Brazil What country has brought Confucian ideas into their societies ? A. China B. Brazil In your own words, who was Confucius? “Confucius was______.” Describe one of the Five Constant Virtues. Why is it important? How is morality portrayed in Confucianism? How do you know? 1 ©2017 All rights reserved. We will describe the life and teachings of Confucius. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Skill Development/ Guided Practice Identify the required information. (read the graphic organizer) Identify the important events in the life of Confucius. (underline) Identify the Confucian ideals. (double underline) Identify the effect that Confucian virtue had on China. (circle) Describe the life and teachings of Confucius. (complete the graphic organizer) Origins of Confucianism Accomplishments Struggles and Problems Life of Confucius 1. Confucius was born in 551B.C.E; this was an answer to his parents’ prayers. 2. He was born into a warrior family. 3. His father, Shu Liang He (shoo lee-ang he), was said to have had great military exploits5 and he owned a fiefdom6. 4. When Confucius was three years old his father died, leaving him to grow up in poverty7 with his mother. 5. They became a part of the Shi class, which was a status8 that lay between old nobility and common people. 6. The people in this class sought social positions based on talent and skill rather than heredity9. 7. Confucius had different jobs; he worked as a shepherd, cow herder, clerk and book keeper; he also managed granaries and store houses. 8. It is not known for sure how Confucius was educated, but he may have studied under several different men. 9. In his middle age it is believed that he gathered about him disciples in order to teach, and he devoted10 himself to politics. 10. When Confucius was 50 years old, Duke Ding of State Lu recognized Confucius’ talent and appointed him Minister of Public Works and then Minister of Crime. 11. However, Confucius offended some Lu nobility and was exiled11. 12. Confucius and his disciples traveled to several different areas looking for a ruler who could employ him; however, he was met with unfriendliness, suffering, and danger. 13. In 484 B.C.E, Confucius returned to Lu and spent the remainder of his life teaching. 14. Confucius died at the age of 72 years old. 2 ©2017 All rights reserved. We will describe the life and teachings of Confucius. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Skill Development/ Guided Practice Identify the required information. (read the graphic organizer) Identify the important events in the life of Confucius. (underline) Identify the Confucian ideals. (double underline) Identify the effect that Confucian virtue had on China. (circle) Describe the life and teachings of Confucius. (complete the graphic organizer) Virtues Confucian ideals Effect on China Ren or Humanity Yi or Righteousness Li or Ritual Zhi or Wisdom Xin or Faithfulness 15. Confucius thought that society could be perfect if everyone who lived in it showed signs of “beautiful conduct.” 16. Confucianism put special emphasis on how a person behaves. 17. He taught people five basic ideas concerning behavior called the Five Constant Virtues. 18. Ren, or humanity, is the first and most important of these virtues. 19. Ren means that one must always be considerate12 of others. 20. Confucius felt that everyone could embody Ren. 21. Yi, or righteousness, is having the moral character to do good in your life. 22. Confucian philosophy often identifies that morality comes out of the blending of Ren and Yi. 23. Li, or ritual, controls manners in relation to family and society. 24. Li also applies to having the proper respect for your ancestors13. 25. Li is typically portrayed as the use of Ren in everyday life. 26. Zhi is the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong. 27. Zhi states that right and wrong are independent of law and authority, so an action might be right, but not legal. 28. Lastly, Xin, or faithfulness, is the ability to keep promises and avoid conflict. 29. There are many other principles of Confucianism that are all based on these five virtues. 30. Confucianism became the guiding philosophy in much of Chinese society. 31. The responsibilities and roles assigned by Confucian philosophy heavily influence how Chinese culture has formed. 32. Ren is not only the responsibility of someone to treat his equals well, but also the requirement that a ruler treat his people well. 33. Ren and Yi are the principles that are supposed to control the official actions of a good and just ruler. 34. Li includes the official responsibilities of any official. 35. Li dictates how officials have to act to their superiors, equals, and those below them. 36. Zhi is important for knowing how to behave well in Confucianism. 37. It is considered a skill that can be learned and is based on manners and academic learning. 38. Lastly, without Xin, conflict would erupt in the ruling classes. 39. If the leaders of a country could not trust each other, they would certainly war with one another. 3 ©2017 All rights reserved. We will describe the life and teachings of Confucius. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Skill Development/ Guided Practice Identify the required information. (read the graphic organizer) Identify the important events in the life of Confucius. (underline) Identify the Confucian ideals. (double underline) Identify the effect that Confucian virtue had on China. (circle) Describe the life and teachings of Confucius. (complete the graphic organizer) Virtues Confucian ideals Effect on China Ren or Humanity Yi or Righteousness Li or Ritual Zhi or Wisdom Xin or Faithfulness 40. If the rulers of a country practice the Five Constant Virtues, then they should have what is called the “Mandate of Heaven.” 41. The Mandate of Heaven is the idea that a ruler has the divine right to rule, similar to the divine right of kings in the Western world. 42. However, unlike in the West, the Mandate of Heaven depends on the ruler being just, good, and caring for his people. 43. In other words, so long as a ruler practices the Five Constant Virtues correctly, he will have the Mandate of Heaven. 44. If a leader did not have the mandate, he would be overthrown. 45. The Mandate of Heaven has been used throughout the history of China to support the overthrow of various dynasties and to justify the new dynasties that come out of the conflict. 46. Since the Mandate of Heaven focuses on the behavior of the ruler, the ruler did not have to come from a noble background. 47. The founders of the Han and Ming Dynasties, for example, were peasant rebels. 48. Confucian philosophy does not only apply to the rulers of countries and dynasties. 49. It is supposed to apply to everyone. 50. Every person should know their proper role and should fulfill their responsibilities to their families, their superiors, and everyone around them. 4 ©2017 All rights reserved. We will describe the life and teachings of Confucius. Closure Describe the life and teachings of Confucius. 1. Summarize the life of Confucius. It is said that Chinese people are almost always very polite. Describe what part of this attitude came from Confucius. What did you learn today about describing the life and teachings of Confucius? 5 ©2017 All rights reserved. We will describe the life and teachings of Confucius. Independent Practice Describe the life and teachings of Confucius. 1. Describe the teachings of Confucius. 2. In your own words, describe the Five Constant Virtues. 3. Describe how morality comes out of the Five Constant Virtues. 4. Describe the Mandate of Heaven and its effects on China. 6 ©2017 All rights reserved. We will describe the life and teachings of Confucius. Independent Practice 5. What do you think is the most important idea that Confucius taught? Why? 7 ©2017 All rights reserved.
