Confucianism

Confucianism at the style life of Chinese People

First of all Confucianism sometimes is consider like a religion, a kind of philosophy or a way to live. But I think that is more a way to live because it has not deities. Everything that human been need is at heaven but this idea is related with the knowledge contained in the universe.  So Confucianism is based on the natural relations and moral thought. Therefore it plays a similar role in the social context like the religion.

Now where is come from Confucianism? Around 551B.C.E was born a child who lately will be Confucius. His real name was Kǒng Qiū 孔丘 and was known as Kǒng Fū Zi 孔夫子 (Master Kong). He was in a small group of disciplines with who create books that became very important into Confucianism. One example is the Analects. Also is important to note that with these documents, Confucius was looking for the ancient traditions that were practiced again. (Rico, 2013). And then he dies 479 B.C.E at the 73 years old.

Well Confucius was not famous during his lifetime that became later. Confucius considered himself a transmitter who tried to understand the traditions, rituals and ceremonial meanings. Later his thought was transmitted and works. May be therefore Confucian ethics have had a strongest influence in the Chinese society. Because, all those ideas that he wrote and then was spread conform the structure and hierarchy of the Chinese culture. 

Confucianism has three principal values. First Filial Piety(Xiao) the principal virtue in Confucianism. It derives from parent-child relationship with the notion of reciprocity to understand the filial piety. Also support plays an important role here. Because, the idea is a young man supporting an old man and remember them after they have died so we can found the relation with reciprocity. And that explain the respect to older people, ancestors and the hierarchy on the Chinese family.

[Excerpt from the Analects of Confucius]

Few of those who are filial sons and respectful brothers will show disrespect to superiors, and there has never been a man who is respectful to superiors and yet creates disorder. A superior man is devoted to the fundamental. When the root is firmly established, the moral law will grow. Filial piety and brotherly respect are the root of humanity. Columbia University. (2013)

Another key value in Confucian thinking is humaneness (Ren). The principal idea is the care and concern for other human beings. So one person is related with another person and if all of us are related with another human being, the main point is the human being in society.

[Excerpt from the Analects of Confucius]

Confucius said: "...The humane man, desiring to be established himself, seeks to establish others; desiring himself to succeed, he helps others to succeed. To judge others by what one knows of oneself is the method of achieving humanity..." 

Columbia University. (2013)

[Excerpt from the Analects of Confucius]

Confucius said: "In rites at large, it is always better to be too simple rather than too lavish. In funeral rites, it is more important to have the real sentiment of sorrow than minute attention to observances." Columbia University. (2013)

The last value is Ritual(Li) that refer to the way of doing things. So they have so much respect to the way to do things. Because Li represents the forms in which human action are supposed to go on (Columbia University, 2013). Therefore they are so accurate in everything. It’s something similar to the phrase if you do something do it right. Also with that respect to rituals the people can learn proper relationships. Because Li is related with Xiao and Ren so Li is the key for that people can continue to be loyal and obedient to their parents even after parents have passed away. That makes the three values circle eternal and explains Confucianism influence inside of families with the daily social interaction in China. The more common situations like Birth, government, marriage and dead have rituals and they have to do it in the correct way because are moments of human life and reflect the way that they live.

Now it’s been clear that human being is social being and he conform a society to live but what about government? Well, Confucianism believes in natural relations so for Confucius when a virtuous men lead by moral example, good government would follow naturally, one thing make comes the other. Therefore the key is the cultivation of the virtuous person, the moral leader a Gentleman to social order. So here is when education appears like a part of this self-cultivation of heart and mind that also is a ritual. This ritual teaches that live is a continuous process of learning. Therefore the education represents a primordial part of structure inside of china and explains the rigorous test in academic education. Also analects are remembered to the students to preserve the knowledge and remember the objectives of Confucianism.

[Excerpt from the Analects of Confucius]

Zi Gong asked: "Is there any one word that can serve as a principle for the conduct of life?" Confucius said: "Perhaps the word 'reciprocity': Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you." Columbia University. (2013)

But come back to the government, after this general review of Confucianism we can understand why in this days Confucianism return stronger in china. For me works more like philosophy because it´s more a way of thinking and a way to live but based in us, human being is the primordial part of all. Then individualism leads to give support to others and society has a solid foundation. Therefore the people feels more secure retaking the Confucian values for the social order.

The Confucian values now are present in an individualism form because with the modernization this social order that was mentioned in Confucianism changed. If well, one idea of Confucianism was the anti-commercial attitude in relation with activities of profit. Now the economic development can tell us something different. But also is the idea that the complete process of production it’s the main point of the economic system in china.

The reason is simple; the process is a part of the nature. So the context is not different from the philosophy. They have had a great commercial success and are the result of each other supporting. Also many ideas are retaken for the communist party in china to step up their power and legitimacy. Because if government adopt Confucianism language they can persuade people to obtain power and legitimacy. So the process starts at the schools teaching Confucianism because the leaders should be humane, well-educated and diligent.

"The gentleman understands what is right; the inferior man understands what is profitable."

"The gentleman makes demands on himself; the inferior man makes demands on others." .... Confucius Analects

Finally Confucianism makes them feel secure. If each person respect the values his future and the social order will be fine. The young people take care to oldest man and this behavior will be broadcast for generations. Then if a family is fine, in an appropriate order also the society. For accomplish this education will not be absent and if the people study in a correctly form, the natural government that is follow after this will be a good government.

If we search a fault in the Confucianism perspective there are not mistakes that deviate. Of course people need discipline and it’s reflected in every field where present Confucian thinking is. This people are really committed to their beliefs. Therefore Confucianism is considered for some academics to a new option like a model. If we talk about liberalism, the Confucian way may be works like a complement. But that’s another story and the people around the world are not the same. So before think in a new model, each of us should take a little pause to understand to understand the different ideologies that there are around the world. Because, there are an explanation for everything and if we understand the differences and the reasons of this explanations maybe the solutions come easier.

Bibliography 

Bell, D. A. (December 20th 2007). Revival of Confucianism in China. (J. Hirsh, Interviewer).     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMjVJWhhCxA                       

Columbia University. (2013). Asian Topics. Retrieved from Asian Topics: http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/at/conf_teaching/ct01.html                                                                                                 

Patheos library. (2013). Phateos Library. Retrieved from Patheos Library: http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism.html                                                                                              

ReligionFacts. (2013). ReligionFacts. Retrieved from ReligionFacts: http://www.religionfacts.com/az-religion-index/confucianism.htm                                                                                                                                      

Rico, I. C. (February 2013). Taoism and Confucianism. Puebla, Puebla, Mexico.                                                            

Yiu, L. (September 25th 2012). Confucianism in China Today. Shanghai, China. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1dw6UgBGlc