Analects

(Confucianism, Legalism, Dao ism and Buddhism) have had significant impacts on China, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between them. Though considered a religion, Confucianism is more akin to philosophy. As mentioned in “Analects of Confucius “Confucianism, the goal is to become “The Superior Man” or someone that is virtuous. If someone is virtuous they can show humility, discard his pursuit of glory and not be weighed down by negative traits such as gluttony. In…

moral order, then they would be on their way (Dao) of being better men. As long as everything is on its on correct way and never crosses the bottom line, there would no longer be any need for governing. This is exactly what Confucius in Analects wanted to say. “ Does Heaven speak? Yet…

SOCIETY IN LATE IMPERIAL CHINA. http://www.exeas.org/resources/pdf/your-honor-handout5.pdf (accessed October 12, 2010). —. "Handout #6: Excerpts from the Analects." “Your Honor, I am Innocent”: Law and Society in Late Imperial China. http://www.exeas.org/resources/pdf/your-honor-handout6.pdf (accessed October 12,…

Background information on the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty reigned from 202 B.C.E to 221 C.E. The first ruler of the Han Dynasty was Han Gaozu. IV. The Establishment of the Han Dynasty In the beginning Emperor Han didn’t use any of the policies from the Qin dynasty. As time went on the policies of the Qin dynasty began to be integrated. The Han Dynasty used the Qin Dynasty idea of tripartite division to divide the central government into civilian, military authorities, and censorate. V.…

Confucianism played a significant role in shaping the political and social structure of the traditional Chinese society of the imperial period of Chinese history. It is not easy to define Confucianism because there are noticeable differences and sometimes contradictions among the phases of Confucianism. Rather than to say Confucianism arose unexpectedly, it arose in response to the status quo of society. At different periods of time, Confucianism established relative order, unified the minds of…

Document 5.1 Confucius: The Analects pages 217-219 1. Ritual and proper behavior (propriety) as well as “filial piety” all play an important role in the making of a virtuous man. Why is all of this so important in Confucius’s understanding of a good society? Filial piety is a child’s reverence for and commitment to his or her parents and by extension to all superiors, especially one’s elders. The cultivation of filial piety in all members of society is a key to a happy, peaceful,…

In Greek tradition, the purpose or ‘end’ of man centers around having a soul filled with virtue and the idea of justice, while the Confucians focused on living an educated, moral, and virtue filled life. Fulfilling the purpose of man through virtue was the ultimate life goal of both cultures, however, each followed different foundations and ethical ideals. Both the Greeks and the Confucians agreed that possessing virtue was part of the purpose of man on earth. The Greeks centered their life…

Confucius spent most of his life teaching his way of ritual propriety to his disciples. In The Analects of Confucius, he states, “It is a rare thing for glib speech and an insinuating appearance to accompany authoritative conduct” (1.3). One of Confucius’s main lessons is the teachings of Ren and communication between one another. When Confucius states “glib speech” he is speaking of one as shallow, thoughtless, and misleading. Many times throughout Confucius’s teaching he mentions “glib tongue”…

“The gentleman stands in awe of three things. He is in awe of the Decree of Heaven. He is in awe of great men. He is in awe of the words of sages. The small man, being ignorant of the decree of heaven, does not stand in awe of it. He treated great men with insolence and the words of the sages with derision.” (Confucius, Book 16, Section 8, Page 140) Confucius elaborates on junzi very frequently. They’re the ideal model of a law abiding, knowledgable, and humble citizen and gentleman in…

Chinese women, much like women from all over the world have had to and continue to fight for equality. Strict Chinese tradition has left women inferior to men throughout history and the traditions adopted through the many different dynasties over time contribute to the oppression that women face in China. The difficulties that women face in their own culture show the subjugation to tradition and “respect” adopted centuries before by men whom could not care in the least about the safety,…