Confucian Beliefs And Its Impact On Society

Confucianism has been a part of Chinese culture for over a thousand years. Many who have studied Confucianism would say that it is not a religion. It is better described as a philosophy or moral code. The philosophy of Confucianism comes mainly from the speeches and writings of Confucius, a great Chinese thinker and educator. He believed that Humanity, Rite, Neutrality, Virtue, Education, and Cultivation were the basis of human behavior. In addition, Confucius felt that this philosophy was the best way for people to behave and interact with others in society.

Han China (206 B.C.E. – 220 C.E.), and Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E. – 476 C.E.), were powerful and influential civilizations whose fall had an everlasting impact on society. The inability to protect borders and corrupt officials led to the fall of Han China and Imperial Rome. Unlike the Han, Christianity tore Rome apart while Confucianism united China.

Religion has been a major factor for the growth and development of societies since the establishment of even the very first ancient civilizations. Though each of the ancient societies—the Chinese, the Egyptians, the Indians, and the Mesopotamians—had different spiritual beliefs, they each shared the common belief that the presence of religion within a civilization would have positive results upon the entire civilization.

Throughout the world, social classes tend to separate people into groups. Everything depends on a person’s experience with wealth and power. Therefore, the levels of education determine the value of a person. In the articles, “Blue-Collar Brilliance” and “Why Colleges Shower Their Students with A’s” by Rose and Staples, they go in depth about how education and wealth plays a significant role in today’s society.

Confucian culture, also known as Confucianism, was founded by Confucius during the Spring and Autumn Period, which was developed gradually after the Han Dynasty with benevolence as the core. Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism was the official ideology and the basis of mainstream ideology in the vast majority of historical periods of China, and it also influenced many southeast Asian countries in history. After a variety of shocks, Confucianism was still the core values of China's social public, and represented the Chinese culture and national tradition in the world (Littlejohn, 2010). In the contemporary society, the Confucian culture in China increasingly spread, at the

The question is, to what extent has economic inequality between races in the US improved today? In one study that was done in 2003, the researchers Bertrand and Mullainathan identified job openings using local help wanted ads. They then sent in equally appealing resumes to companies' ads with traditionally white or African-American sounding names. The researchers found that the resumes that had traditionally white names received a fifty percent higher callback rate than those with traditionally African-American names (Bertrand & Mullainathan 991). Currently, less than five percent of the white population in America is unemployed, but almost ten percent of African-Americans in the US are considered unemployed (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

In china there has been no central rule in China for 70 years until the Song Dynasty created in 960. Things started to change in China, for example, the government started to aid the poor a lot more than what they have in the past. They were getting this money from the newly introduced income tax. This made a lot of people happy and everyone started to have more patriotism and pride. This pride gave the government a feel of legitimacy. Some of the major things the government is paying for is the roads, food, and education. Pottery at this time helps out the economy in China, because the pottery is so advanced that it was being exported for good money and it also led more people to come to China. Even though China was number one in the world for many things like technology and a sophisticated culture they were weak military wise (Holcombe p.127).

There is an overrepresentation of minorities in inferior schools, living in a crime infested city, and lacking family support (4. Rachels, CC2011, p 0203). If a minority with disadvantages reaches the same qualifications as an advantaged Caucasian, the minority is more deserving, indicative of the increased effort needed to put in. Fairness is a necessary condition in Rachels’ argument and minorities that are qualified for institutions are generalized to have put in more sweat. In some cases when this generalization is true, preferential treatment is considered fair.

As stated by Riddell, human capital is often referred to as the skills, competencies, and knowledge that one possesses, including both cognitive skills and non-cognitive skills. Human capital can be largely determined or influenced by your environment and it is essential to individual and social well being. As a result, most people tend to place great consumption value on education based on the belief that acquiring an education can result in many private benefits such as higher earnings and better health. Human capital formation and education specifically, play an important role in the economy and society as a whole, as it largely affects the labour market. Education provides individuals with equal opportunity to better themselves and climb the social ladder, and often results in enhanced productivity and economic growth if used effectively. However, investment in education is risky as there is great uncertainty as to

Confucianism has easily been influential in the development of the Chinese state through history. In fact, the core ideals of Confucianism have evolved. Despite the harsh repression of Confucianism by Marxist revolutionaries during the second half of the twentieth century, Confucian values continues to be influential in Chinese society and recently, Confucian political philosophy has resurfaced again. In addition, the political ideas and social ethics of Confucianism can provide the basis for a new, functional form of government in China. Confucianism can be a viable political philosophy for China in the twenty first century because many intellectuals have turned to Confucianism to make sense of such social

When Western people think of Confucianism, they often think of it in a past sense- as something only relevant to ancient China that cannot be applied to modern day society. However, what these people fail to realize is that Confucianism’s roots have been so integrated into China’s society that the values have become a part of every day life. Without having to explicitly state that they are following specifics aspects of Confucianism, most Chinese people submit to them, often times unknowingly. However, Confucian values not only exist in the Chinese society, but also permeate into other areas of Chinese culture such as architecture and aspects of Feng-Shui.

Different cultures have different outlooks on life with different values and beliefs that sustain their daily lives. Chinese culture, like any other culture, has its own such beliefs, accepted behaviour and specific day to day living that is dictated by the imposed societal and cultural norms(1). Confucian teachings and principles are the foundations on which Chinese’s value system is based on they specifically imply the highest respect be given to elderly(2). The age-related archetype of a caregiver was used for a child brought up under the influence of the Confucian teachings of filial piety and for whom selfless generosity and caretaking are the primary motivating factors for his behaviour(3). On the other hand, archetypes of Perfect Grandparent and Severely Impaired were used to describe older Chinese generation(5). These archetypes summarized the role of the elderly in context of the cultural norms(5). Filial piety, xiao in Chinese language, was derived from structured relationships of traditional Confucian beliefs and the notion of ‘intergenerational continuity’ used to describe the hierarchy of these relationships where elderly and the younger offspring were set to play their specific roles(4)(7). As in Chinese culture aging is attributed to wisdom and experience, the younger generation also has their own role to play in the society. They have an obligation towards their parents and grandparents in all aspects of daily living whether it be providing financial support,

Confucius was born in an impoverished family. Throughout his childhood he was very eager to learn so his mother fostered that. He had several small positions in government in his home state, Lu. He was the first ever teacher/educationalist in the history of China. His teachings found in the Analects, discusses ethical modules family, politics, economy, and more. In his teachings he promotes humanness (ren), ritual propriety (li), and the developing of exemplary persons (Junzi). (Li pg. 87)

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. The main factor that has brought Confucianism back into the limelight in China and other East Asian countries is the recent

Most ancient philosophical ideas developed in the ancient Chinese empires are believed to have their roots from Confucius. Confucianism was a simple way of life propagated by Confucius around the fifth and sixth century BC. Often perceived as a religion and other times as philosophy, it is conceivably best unspoken as a comprehensive humanism that neither slights nor denies heaven. The Chinese populaces have devotedly observed Confucianism for nearly two millennia. It has become an implicit part of their culture. However, there seem to be a cod division among its proponents holding contrasting perspectives and understanding with respect to it. The central focus of this presentation is to address the questions whether Confucianism is a religion or a philosophy or it encompasses both.