1. Chinese Humanism (from 1751B.C.) From Chan’s A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy

2. What is Chinese Humanism? Does not deny the importance of Supreme Power. Does profess the unity of man and Heaven.

3. Core Doctrine: The Mandate of Heaven A self-existent moral law whose constant reliable factor was virtue. Man’s destiny is determined by his own good words and his own good deeds. Therefore, mandates of rule and rights are passed on through the results of our own actions here on earth—our virtue. Heaven (Tien) is the Supreme Spiritual Reality, but man’s destiny is totally the result of his own virtue, effort, and moral deeds.

4. Ancestor Worship Great ancestors, therefore, pass down their moral example and inspiration to each new generation. In this way the Mandate of Heaven (and all of its material rewards) is passed down—or lost.

5. The “Great Norm”(12 th c. B.C.) The Lord (Heaven) passes this down to those whose actions are virtuous. It has Nine Categories and the various virtues that accompany it.

6. The Nine Categories I: The Five Agents Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, Earth These correspond with their separate human activities. II: The Five Activities Appearance, Speech, Hearing, Seeing, Thinking These correspond with their separate human virtues:

7. The Nine Categories continued The Five Activities explained The virtue of Appearance is respectfulness That of Speech is reason That of Seeing is clearness. That of Hearing is distinctness That of Thinking is profundity

8. Nine Categories continued The Five Activities and their results: Respectfulness leads to gravity. Reason leads to orderliness. Clearness leads to wisdom. Distinctness leads to deliberation Profundity leads to sageliness All of the above must be cultivated by the Ruler

9. Nine Categories continued III: The Eight Government Offices Food Commodities Sacrifices Public Works Education Justice Reception of Guests Army

10. Nine Categories continued IV: The Five Arrangements of Time Year Month Day Stars, planets, and zodiacal signs Calendric Calculations

11. Nine Categories continued V: The Supreme Standard The Sovereign, having established the Highest Standard, gathers in him the Five Blessings, and spreads them over the people.

12. Nine Categories continued VI: The Three Virtues Correctness and Uprightness In times of peace Strong Government In times of violence and disorder Weak Government In times of harmony and order

13. Nine Categories continued VII: The Examination of Doubts Select officers with the use of experts Consult your conscience Consult with the common people If all agree, your decision is correct, and there will be great prosperity.

14. Nine Categories continued VIII: The General Verifications Government must be in balance with rain, sunshine, heat, cold, wind and seasonableness. If all are in balance, there will be great prosperity.

15. Nine Categories continued IX: The Five Blessings Longevity Wealth Physical and mental health Cultivation of excellent virtue An end crowning a good life Each of these has its opposite, the punishment for evil conduct.

16. Spirits, Soul, and Immortality The spiritual realm is only attracted to the influence of human virtuous action. A virtuous person cultivates a strong soul, and this is passed down through generations. If virtue, achievement and words are established, and these are not abandoned through time, a person will be considered immortal.

17. The Four Books The Confucius The Mencius The Great Learning The Doctrine of the Mean

18. Confucius: Molder of Chinese Civilization

19. Confucius: Human Nature is Good Man can make the Way great. A good society is based upon good government and harmonious human relations. Rule by virtue and moral example (not punishment or force) creates good government. Righteous rule is the criterion for goodness (in family or government).

20. Confucius: II All people are perfectible, and capable of becoming “superior.” Superiority is a moral concept. Nobility is a quality of character. (virtue)

21. Confucius: Fundamental Concepts Rectification of Names Be your name. The Mean Act in moderation. The Way All substance and function must be in harmony. Heaven Moral Law operates by itself. Humanity (jen) The central virtue of helping others.

22. Confucius: Rectification of Names Social order is dependent upon regulation of names and ranks. A person’s name should imply what he is, morally. (good manners)

23. Confucius: The Mean All human action should be in balance. Its result should be “one thread:” Establish your character by establishing the character of others. This is known as the Confucian Golden Rule –“Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.” 15:23

24. The Analects If you set your mind on humanity you will be free from evil. He who learns but does not think is lost; he who thinks but does not learn is in danger. The superior man in dealing with the world is not for anything or against anything. He follows righteousness as the standard.

25. Mencius: Human Nature is Originally Good

26. Mencius: Core Principles I Man has the innate ability to do good. Utmost mental development will ensure a good destiny. We must beware of evil influences. We must sincerely strive to recover our original good nature. The goal is to recover our ‘lost mind.’

27. Mencius Core Principles II The practice of love must begin with family righteousness. Humanity and righteousness will create good government. Everyone has equal moral potential and is capable of becoming a sage.

28. The Book of Mencius If you let people follow their true nature they will do good. Parents are the foundation of life and one’s first moral obligation is to them. He who exerts his mind to the utmost knows his true nature. The superior person is most watchful over herself.

29. The Great Learning I Its core principles Conscientiousness Altruism Its Three Items Manifesting clear character Loving the people Abiding in the highest good

30. The Great Learning II The Eight Steps Investigation of things Extension of knowledge Sincerity of the will Rectification of the mind Cultivation of the personal life Regulation of the family National order World peace

31. The Doctrine of the Mean Nature and Man form a unity. The universe is harmonious. Man’s nature is harmonious. Sincerity is the quality that brings both man and nature together.

32. Doctrine of the Mean: Subjects The relation between man and nature. The relations between people. Knowledge and conduct.

33. Exemplary Doctrines The superior man is watchful over himself when he is alone. The way of the superior man is seen in the simple relations between a man and a woman. What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to them.

34. The Five Universal Relations Ruler and minister Father and son Husband and wife Elder and younger brothers Friends

35. The Three Universal Virtues Wisdom (from the love of learning) Humanity (from vigorous practice) Courage (from knowing shame) He who knows these three things cultivates his personal life, others, and the world.

36. The Nine Standards of Sincerity Cultivate the personal life. Honor the worthy. Love your relatives. Respect your superiors. Relate with your peers. Nurture your inferiors. Attract various artisans. Welcome strangers. Influence kindly those with great power.

37. Five Steps of Sincere Study Study extensively. Inquire accurately. Think carefully. Sift clearly. Practice earnestly.