Chinese Society and Thought Social Studies Chapter 11
Section 2 The Teachings of Confucius
Anticipatory Set During the Era of Warring States, China was in a state of anarchy. The social order was collapsing. Hanfeizi promoted a Legalistic solution. Mo-zi suggested a government where everyone would work for the common good. Confucius came up with a different solution.
Standards H-SS – Know about the life of Confucius and the fundamental teachings of Confucianism and Daoism H-SS – Identify the political and cultural problems prevalent in the time of Confucius and how he sought to solve them
The Big Idea The ideas of Confucius greatly influenced Chinese society and government
Key Terms Confucianism – teachings of Confucius Filial piety – unending devotion of children, especially sons, to their parents and family
The “Traditional Values” Solution of Confucius Confucius is known as the “First Teacher” Though others came before him, he is honored above all others for his wisdom
The Early Life of Confucius Born in the small state of Lu in 551BC Confucius lived about the same time as Buddha in India Confucius came from a poor but respected family Received a good education
The Early Life of Confucius As a young man he took a job collecting taxes from farmers for the ruler of Lu Saw the problems of his time in person Laws were not enforced Dishonest officials took bribes, or illegal payments to do favors for the rich Peasants starved while rulers taxed them to pay for wars
The Early Life of Confucius Confucius believed the cause of the anarchy was that the Chinese had turned away from the values and virtues of their ancestors
The Early Life of Confucius Believed only a return to those traditional values could bring order to China Confucius made teaching the ways of the ancestors his life’s work
Teacher and Scholar To carry out his work, Confucius started his own school Did not teach about religion, gods, or an afterlife Goal was to instruct young men on how to become junzi (true gentlemen) Teachings were collected in a book called the Analects
Teacher and Scholar Confucius hoped to find a ruler who would follow his teachings Few rulers took his ideas seriously, and Confucius died thinking himself a failure Did now know that his teachings would influence Chinese society and government up to present day
The Five Key Relationships The heart of Confucianism lay in a vision of a stable society based on five relationships
The Five Key Relationships Ruler - - Subject Father - - Son Husband - - Wife Older brother - - Younger brother Older friend - - Younger friend
The Five Key Relationships Confucius taught that these five relationships should be the foundations of China’s social order
The Five Key Relationships In each relationship: The superior/older person should respect respect and obedience from the junior person The superior/older person should set a good example of proper behavior If rulers/fathers set a bad example then it was their fault if their subjects/children also behaved badly
The Five Key Relationships Each relationship was based on traditional virtues Ruler - - Subject: virtue for the ruler was kindness to subject; for subjects it was loyalty to ruler
The Five Key Relationships Most important virtue in Confucianism was filial piety
The Five Key Relationships Confucius believed that establishing the proper relationship with one’s parents and other was of greater importance than getting a good education
The “Traditional Values” Solution of Confucius Read The “Traditional Values” Solution of Confucius on pages 306 – 308 of your textbook
Guided Practice The teachings of Confucius are known as ________________. There are ______________ key relationships in Confucianism. The most important virtue in Confucianism was _________________ __________________.
Guided Practice The teachings of Confucius are known as Confucianism. There are five key relationships in Confucianism. The most important virtue in Confucianism was filial piety.
Independent Practice Complete Chapter 11 Section 2 Independent Practice worksheet