Pre-Modern Confucianism in China
analytical Essay
2004 words
I. Introduction The role of the Chinese family in pre-modern China included thoughts centered on Confucian thought and methods. The Chinese family followed different methods of Confucian thought and the division of family responsibilities in China developed because of it. The original text of Confucius that dictated the roles of filial piety in China did not specify gender dichotomy but the implications led Chinese scholars to distinguish the position of men following filial values from women. Pre-Modern China had the dominative power of dozens of dynasties. Confucianism developed ideologically during the Spring and Autumn Period (722-476BC) as an intellectual movement. Although Confucianism’s beliefs stem from the thought of acceptance involving humanities right to learn and grown through personal understanding and knowledge of outside influences there is a division between the male and female tasks in filial piety. The woman’s place in pre-modern Chinese society always depended on the male figure in the household unless the woman held an elder position. In most cases, women under Confucian control had little direction in life that men did not manage. In this paper, I will discuss the relationship among self, community, society, and the state as well as the gender relations and definitions of public and private spaces between men and women in China. II. The Levels of Confucianism Religion is an interesting aspect in the Chinese context because of the part it played in history. Christianity did not spread as successfully in the East as it did in Europe and the isolated thoughts of the Chinese at the time. The fundamentals of Confucianism include and encourage humanities pursuit of knowledge and understanding of their self and... ... middle of paper ... ...ues the Chinese chose instead to uphold their values and some societal relations such as the position of women and the definitions of public and private space between men and women came under scrutiny. The duties of filial piety have a place in traditional Chinese society and have to value to continue to evolve with the country, but values are only worth keeping if they do not hinder the progress and growth of a nation. References: 1.Chin, Melissa, and Li Jing. Autumn Gem. DVD. Directed by Rae Chang. 2009. 2. Yao, Xinzhong. An Introduction to Confucianism. New York City: Cambridge University Press, 2000. 3.Weng, Heling, Rui Jiang, Zui Cheng, Yun Dai, and Ji Ma. Family. DVD. 1957. 4. Weiming, Tu. Sharma, Arvind, ed. Confucianism. San Francisco: Haper Collinsn.d. 5. Zeng, Miss. The Book of Filial Piety for Women. Translated by Patricia B. Ebrey. n.d.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the chinese family followed different methods of confucian thought and the division of family responsibilities in china developed because of it.
- Explains that religion is an interesting aspect in the chinese context because of the part it played in history. the fundamentals of confucianism include and encourage humanities pursuit of knowledge and understanding of their self and environment.
- Explains that self-realization is the first step before one can expand their knowledge base and become better confucians.
- Explains that confucianism's broadness begins from the establishment and understanding of human existence and grows into the thoughts of nature as the source of everything, rather than humankind.
- Explains that filial piety for women did not include a mourning period for their parents. binding women's feet served the purpose of keeping women in one space and restricting her independence.
- Analyzes how qiu ji's role as a feminist in confucianism had an important responsibility because of her presence in 1857-1907.
- Analyzes how the film family portrayed the struggle of a young man with filial piety.
- Explains that the public space between men and women as defined in confucianism did not include the conscientiousness of women in many ways.
- Concludes that the confucian ideals in pre-modern china created contradictions for the people within the society.
- Explains zeng, miss. the book of filial piety for women. translated by patricia b. ebrey.
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- Women In Early Confucianismexplanatory essaySince the beginning of early Confucianism, women in early China suffered oppression. Unfortunately, the religion holds much responsibility for the sexism. Confucius’s answers for the Chinese people’s way of living consisted of sexual discrimination and segregation towards females. Women in China were urged to meet the expectations outlined in Confucian ideals. Such concepts were mainly limited to the men. Thus, Confucianism defined gender expectations. Confucianism stimulated the inequality of women in Chinese culture.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that confucianism's answers for the chinese people’s way of living consisted of sexual discrimination and segregation towards females.
- Explains that men and women in early china were separated by the idea of the yin and yang cosmic forces, which are complementary to each other.
- Analyzes how confucianism's nei-wai divides men and women into two spheres: the literary realm and the domestic realm.
- Explains that confucian ethics promotes the hierarchy of relationships, called the three bonds.
- Explains that in confucian ideals, women were obligated to have four qualifications — virtue, words, bearing, and work. these qualifications were oppressing to women in early china.
- Explains that women are expected to comply with the expectations of their familial relationships. they must be soft to the husband, listen carefully, and obey his commands.
- Explains that women in china were given instructions on how to live in society since they were young children. confucian beliefs dictated how the children were raised according to their gender.
- Explains that confucianism dictates how a woman should live her domestic life.
- Explains that confucianism concepts also influence the actions of women. a woman must watch her tongue and behaviors. contrary to the female ideals, men do not have a rulebook of behaviors and standards.
- Explains that women in early china lived with daily sexism and were controlled and instructed under the ideals of confucianism. everyday rituals illustrated the misogyny endured by the women.
1192 wordsRead More - Confucianism and Its Implications in Modern Chinaopinion essayConfucianism and Its Implications in Modern China Confucianism is a time enduring philosophy that has stood up to invading clans, war, resentment, enforcement and infringement of new philosophies, and eventually, revival. For almost 80 years, up until the late 1970’s, Confucianism and its ideas and values have been all but wiped away from China. Though effort was made to remove Confucianism for good from China by the Communist leader Mao Zedong in 1949, the ideas and values were so deeply embedded into peoples mind and the culture that even suppression could not keep it out of the culture and practices.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that confucianism is a time-enduring philosophy that has stood up to invading clans, war, resentment, enforcement and infringement of new philosophies, and eventually revival.
- Explains that this is not an attempt to reinstate confucianism as it once was, but rather the idea of it going through a modernization process in which one includes parts that are beneficial to society.
- Explains that the ideas of confucianism are based on the values he expresses that are essential to human beings in order to become gentleman.
- Opines that one must be open and willing to account that the ideas of confucius are present even when they do not seem to be implemented or those persons don't feel that they possess them in aconfucian sense.
- Explains that confucianism layouts the way one should be, act, and present himself towards and to others. history can tell much about a nation and its society.
- Explains that confucius had been criticized in mainland china and the chinese people's living standard was under the bottom of the world from the beginning of this century until 1977.
- Analyzes how mao zedong and other communist revolutionaries in china publicly attacked confucianism because the social and political ideas were considered authoritative and class-ridden.
- Explains that the secret of japanese success is that it practiced the traditional chinese principles: social positions are determined by merits and learning.
- Opines that confucianism is not the reason for this backwardness; one can look at japan and other asian nations that are backed by a confu
- Explains that communism does not promote learning and knowledge unless it is what the government sees fit, while confucianism promotes knowledge and learning.
- Opines that the confucianist drive for educational excellence is a key reason for the high performance of east asian students in science, mathematics and classical music.
- Opines that traditional confucian values have supported korean growth. the focus on education and self-cultivation encouraged mass education.
- Explains that confucianism is prevalent in the economic powerhouses of east asia known as the five dragons.
- Explains that singapore brought in confucian thoughts and ideas in the 1970s to strengthen and grow, both in economy and socially.
- Explains that confucianism in singapore will be interpreted as a code of personal conduct for modern singapore and promoted in the form of public debate and discussion over the media.
- Opines that confucianism's definitive aspect involves the golden mean – applying moderation in human relations and avoiding prejudice.
- Explains the concept of the golden mean and the idea of filial piety, which promotes a family-based or human relations-oriented society.
- Opines that china's past has not had that privilege, at least not for the past half century or so. communism was the form of government used in china beginning in 1949.
- Opines that the people had the duty to obey and support the government as long as it provided good government. if not, they could rebel and replace the ruler with someone with a new mandate of heaven.
- Opines that china needs to expand on the ideas of human rights. the idea of rebelling is wrong, but making sure that the government is benevolent towards the people is excellent.
- Explains that confucianism is not just the advocacy of obedience to government, but also the accountability of government. if people really want to learn from it, they have to open up to more enlightened values, such as freedom of expression, the dignity of the individual and other human rights.
- Argues that the chinese must have a good system for electing politicians. the confucian system is not the best way.
- Analyzes how confucianism could reconcile with democracy by giving an underlying moral framework to the one-man-one-vote system and the market. this would encourage the voter to calculate not only in his self-interest, but also that of his community.
- Argues that people would have to choose from those who knew the background of their nation and whom they felt would benefit the community, not just their own desires.
- Opines that confucianism would provide a stronger foundation for chinese and vietnamese society in the next century than class struggle and the dictatorship of the proletariat.
- Explains that many people claim that there is no relevance between a philosophy (or way of life) and economics. they dispute the lack of connection between nations virtues and the economic progress that it makes.
- Explains that some academics have looked to culture for an explanation and concluded that confucian ethics, stressing the claims of the community over the individual, are the key.
- Explains that confucius strongly promoted the idea of the community over the individual in any economy, and that this idea is holding china back, or giving them a backwards movement.
- Explains that filial piety coincides with economics through business. a strong business must have relationships between boss and employee and other relevant relationships. the family structure underlies the business, governmental, and societal structures.
- Opines that confucianism must be viewed with an open mind to bring it in to light of modernization and the modern world in general.
- Opines that in confused times like ours, we would do well to consider it, even if it does no more than add to our stock of ideals.
- Opines that re-institution of confucian ideas and philosophies to the modern era will develop china and create a better society, government, and economy allowing it to grow and prosper.
- Cites hahm chaibong's article on confucianism and its implications for the industrialization and democratization of east asia.
- Cites asiaweek's article, "confucian comeback; the master’s teachings are a boon to the modern world."
- Opines that confucianism must make 3 great adjustments to back asian revival.
- Cites de bary, william theodore, and englehart, neil a. the rise and fall of confucian ethics in singapore.
- Explains that "hearts and minds new life for confucianism?" korea times.
- Cites relyea, scott. the legacy of confucius in contemporary chinese interpretations of human rights.
- Explains that a seminar on confucian business was held in shanghai, xinhua, on october 23, 2000.
- Cites tucker, mary evelyn, "introduction to confucian spirituality" and "what taiwan wants" by premier lien.
3387 wordsRead More - The Concept of Confucianismcomparative essayThe concept of Confucianism has contributed immensely in the forming of Chinese character, behaviour and the way to live, with its main purpose being to achieve harmony which is considered the greatest social value. Confucianism firmly highlights the impression of mercy, social order and fulfilment of responsibilities. The effects of Confucianism had impacted both China and Japan to the extent that the changes are still noticeable to this day.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the concept of confucianism has contributed immensely in the forming of chinese character, behavior, and the way to live.
- Compares confucius' influence in chinese history with that of socrates in the west.
- Explains that confucianism was centred on the concept of his teachings and writings. it spread across to korea and japan where increasing influence was gained over time.
578 wordsRead More - Confucius in Modern Chinaanalytical essayEvery culture is composed of many philosophical ideologies that comprise the ever-changing nature of said nation. Many cultures do not have a monolithic, nor static nature; ideas such as Maoism, Daoism, Christianity, etc., challenge the preexisting notions that are part of a culture. Even though the Chinese government has established a strong strand against Confucianism, it is still a part of the Chinese culture in socio-political, economic, familial, and individual levels. Confucianism is still prevalent though business, education, the Confucian revival, the previous ties China had with Confucianism, and a return to old traditions as a default.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how confucianism is imbued into the social and socio-political levels of chinese culture in business.
- Analyzes how deng liberalized china by rehabilitating temples, monasteries, and giving scholars the ability to study confucianism as a legitimate philosophical system.
- Analyzes how a 31-foot tall statue of confucius was placed in tiananmen square in 2011 indicating that the chinese government is trying to change the extremely harsh viewpoint of mao's ideals.
- Explains that extreme socio-political events such as the tiananmen massacre can relate to a return in traditional beliefs.
- Explains that confucianism was developed for a less modern, self-sufficient, and small-scale economy with the majority being peasants.
- Analyzes how confucianism is still a part of the chinese culture in socio-political, economic, familial, and individual levels.
- Analyzes how the revival of confucianism resembled a political campaign of the mao era, except that the government deliberatedly avoided associating with it.
- Explains that confucianism is visible in the inheritance patterns of china, especially rural areas, where self-sustaining, patriarchal familial systems are prevalent.
1725 wordsRead More - Confucianismexplanatory essayConfucianism Confucianism is a system of thought based on the teachings of a Chinese man named Kung Fuzi. Which is latinaized as Confucius, he lived from 551 to 479 b.c.e. Confucius claimed that he was not original and neither were his teachings, but believed himself to be a “creative transmitter of wisdom from the past”. He created a moral code on based on ethics, humanity and love. Confucius philosophies emphasize the ideals of order and harmony.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that kung fuzi is latinized as confucius and lived from 551 to 479 b.c.e.
- Opines that he created a moral code to transmit wisdom from the past.
- Explains the idea that people should live in harmony with each other.
- Explains that the man of the house was like the emperor or priest.
- Explains that the duty of the father was to make sacrifices and report any loss.
- Explains that ren, which means “humanity”, thought that should be the ideal for humanity.
- Explains that confucinism refers to basic texts which are called the five.
- Explains the building blocks that have helped the chinese civilization be such a stable force.
- Explains that confucianism is different from any other religion due to the fact that the chinese see religion as a form of education.
- Explains that spring and autumn annals is a brief chronicle of events in confucius home state. the book of change consists of divination or helps the follower to foretell future events.
- Explains that the yin and yang forces are constantly changing in power but each are necessary in order to maintain a balance. wood, metal, fire, water and earth are all made up of five elements.
640 wordsRead More - Confucianismopinion essayConfucianism A philosopher named Confucius founded Confucianism in China 2,500 years ago. Confucianism is a system of ethical behavior and social responsibility that became the great traditions of the East.1 It played an important role in the evolution in Chinese culture over the centuries. It has influenced near-by countries and had made a mark in the history of religion. There are today over six million people who call themselves Confucianists.
In this essay, the author
- Describes confucianism as a system of ethical behavior and social responsibility that became the great traditions of the east.
- Explains that confucius was born in 551 bc in the village of zou in lu. he became a renowned teacher, followed duke zhao into war, became grand secretary of justice, and became chief minister.
- Explains that the teachings of confucius still have a great effect on the culture of china today.
- Opines that itative person alone has the wherewithal to properly discriminate the good person from the bad.
- Opines that only the rvn can like others; who can hate others.
- Opines that only those who have the spirit of goodness within them can love or hate.
- Opines that only the human can love people, and only they can despise people.
- Opines that only a humane man is capable of loving and loathing men.
- Explains that the master said, 'it is only the virtuous man, who can love, or hate, others.'
- Quotes simon leys' quote that only a good man can love people and can hate people.
- Quotes confucius' quote, "only a true man knows how to love people and to hate people."
- Explains that confucius said only the jen person can really like others or to really dislike them.
- Opines that only the complete man can love others, or hate them.
- Explains that when confucius was born in 551 bc, the zhou dynasty was in decline and the rest of china was divided into states where the rulers would be called lords.
- Explains that confucius founded a church and taught people to be gentlemen. he believed that over time they would become officials in government and could change society.
- Explains that confucianism is a whole way of life that includes having the government follow the rules and rituals.
- Explains that mao had no symphony for confucianism and vowed to abolish it in all its forms.
- Explains that mao became emperor, which replaced the idle ruler of confucianism. he had a red book which contained his revolutionary maxims.
- Explains that the benefits of confucianism are better than the original form of government that china had before.
- Analyzes confucius' teachings about loving people and that people should not hate one another. he believed that through education anyone could reach their goal.
1992 wordsRead More - Propaganda Of Confucianismanalytical essayThe Propaganda of the Enlightenment: Confucianism in 18th Century European Theater “Opinion governs the world, and in the end the philosophies govern men’s opinions. ”–Voltaire It was from the Jesuits that Europe first learned of the philosophy of Confucius. What is most important about understanding how European knowledge of this great philosopher had come to be understood, is to recognize how western missionaries arrived at their celebrated conclusions: they used translations of Chinese traditions to invent the figure of Confucius, who was afterward celebrated by the West as a philosopher, prophet and saint. If one examines the history of the Jesuits’ invention of Confucius and his teaching, it is easy to reconstruct the cultural consequences of the encounter between the West and China; these accounts of Chinese culture were absorbed by European thinkers, who simplified and adjusted Confucian ideals to suit the Western desire for a reformed government—one unbound by the vision of the Catholic church.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how voltaire produced the orphan of china, based on the chinese play, which described how the family members of zhao dun were killed by the treacherous court official.
- Analyzes how idame exposes her husband's high treason for surrounding their son as the royal orphan. she leaves the palace and brings the prince to the korean army, only to be recaptured by gengis-kan.
- Analyzes how the jesuits' invention of confucius and his teaching reflected the cultural consequences of the encounter between the west and china.
- Analyzes how voltaire tried to heighten the entertainment value of the play by incorporating themes that were relevant to the time and promoted his social views.
- Analyzes how voltaire exploited chinese philosophy and religion and manipulated it to suit the enlightenment's cultural agenda.
2431 wordsRead More - A Historical View of the Expansion and Philosophy of Confucianism and Buddhism Andre Milla (4520100) American Military University April 25, 2014 History 111 Joseph Esposito Confucianism and its Expansion Confucius was one of the first men to have different ideas on how rulers should go about their ruling of people during the Zhou Dynasty. “Its career as a prominent tradition in China began with its adoption by the Han dynasty, and virtually every East Asian regime of the past thousand years or more has endorsed Confucianism as its official ideology.”
In this essay, the author
- Explains that confucius was one of the first men to have different ideas on how rulers should go about their ruling of people during the zhou dynasty.
- Analyzes how confucius' ideas were described as traditional and emphasized the importance of family and children obeying their parents. his teachings were similar to a hierarchy.
- Explains that confucius encouraged his followers to influence other rulers to care about the people they are ruling and follow the same teachings of moral and traditional governing.
- Explains that buddhism originated in northern india in the 5th century b.c.e.
- Explains that buddhism was a religion not for any particular social class and encouraged its spread to people of all social classes. it influenced many artifacts in china.
- Explains that confucianism and buddhism have many differences, but also have similarities in their philosophies.
670 wordsRead More - The Possibility of Economic Prosperity Under Confucianismanalytical essayThe Possibility of Economic Prosperity Under Confucianism Robert Bruce’s article titled “The Return to Confucius?” asserts that Confucianism may be the answer to Asian economic strife. However, he fails to draw a clear link between economic prosperity and Confucianism, instead leaving the reader to hypothesize using the information given in the article, and, in our case, the Analects. I believe the message he is trying to convey is that a nation living in harmony is an economically prosperous one. This he supports with references to imperial China such as Matteo Ricci who, as Bruce states, “brought a vision of harmony, equality, scholarship and education, which the Enlightenment of Europe regarded with awe and admiration.” What Bruce neglects to mention is that China had little exposure to the Western world at that point in history and was not greatly influenced by Western culture until relatively recently.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how bruce's article titled "the return to confucius?" asserts that china may be the answer to asian economic strife, but fails to draw a clear link between economic prosperity and the analects.
- Analyzes how china's bloody entry into the global economy came in the form of the opium war and consequently, foreign spheres of influence. confucian ideals were repressed and ridiculed along with any other unique aspect of chinese culture.
- Analyzes how bruce points out that the communist revolution in china followed soon after, and that china and several surrounding countries are basking in their own confucianism.
- Opines that capitalism is not conducive to confucianism or communism, which is one of the few political systems in which an ideal form could thrive.
- Analyzes how a capitalist force, the usa, currently dominates the global economy. this makes confucianism and economic prosperity mutually exclusive.
- Opines that the connection between confucianism and asia's newfound economic success is either fictitious or ephemeral.
569 wordsRead More - Confucianism And Taoismexplanatory essayConfucianism and Taoism are religious belief systems which have co-existed in China for well over two centuries. Confucianism deals with social matters and status, while Taoism concerns itself with the search for meaning and being one with nature. I agree with the statement that Chinese philosophies and religious practices are concerned with the creation of harmony as this will be proven in this essay as the similarities and differences between Confucianism and Taoism with regards to their strategies for the creation of harmony will be analysed. Furthermore, the maintenance and restoration of harmony within the individual will be analysed in accordance with the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang and Qi through acupuncture. Social and cosmic harmony will also be discussed with regards to Confucianism and Taoism respectively. The conclusion will be based on beliefs of Confucianism and Taoism alike.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that confucianism and taoism are religious belief systems which have co-existed in china for over two centuries.
- Explains that confucius and lao-tzu lived and practiced their philosophies, including a set of laws, and the concept of deity.
- Explains that taoism is different from confucianism, but does not contradict the teachings. lao-tzu is believed to be the father of the religion.
- Explains that the yin and yang theory is based on the philosophical construct of two polar constructs.
867 wordsRead More