Confucius, the Historical Philosopher Essay

In order to see how the principles and teachings of Confucius influenced the Han Dynasty, we must first look at the history of Confucius. "Kong Fuzi, known in Latin as Confucius, a philosopher and political adviser from the small state of Lu in modern Shandong, sought to reform China by redefining Chinese political and ethical thought" (Spodek 208-209). Confucius dedicated his life to education and philosophy, as he mastered the six Chinese arts: archery, ritual, calligraphy, music, chariot driving, and arithmetic. He went on to be a teacher, government advisor, and author several historical works. Confucius focused on the importance of self-discipline and earning rather than power based on birthright. His teachings eventually grew to impact the region, although most of this transformation took place after his death.

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.

He focuses on intervening with the Confucianism practitioners’ lifestyles because it is his goal to return to the Golden Age of humankind which is a time when “early Zhou rulers established and maintained a special relationship with tian, Heaven” (Ivanhoe and Van Norden 1). Tian becomes attainable when the sacred practices, rites, and rituals, li, are properly and sincerely followed (Ivanhoe and Van Norden 1). By following these practices, Confucius hopes to lead everyone to the dao, “Way” of Heaven. He provides the kings and local rulers with political advice and a numerous amount of analects that gives them the knowledge necessary to

He wanted to live without fault and in his quest for attaining moral perfection; he developed a personal improvement goal to achieve. Initially, he wrote down twelve virtues with their precepts but later added one more after considering the advice from his friend. Here is the list, temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. . He used the catalog method which gave him fewer ideas next to each word. He made a little book and allotted pages for each of the virtues, he made seven columns one for each week.

In ancient East Asian countries, sages were a group of people respected by educated people and revered by the common illiterate mass. According to the text, the sages were those who with acute eyes that penetrate to the essence. This statement emphasizes the distinction between the sages and ordinary people. Although the text only shows one characteristic of the sages, sages were indeed special for the Chinese society and the Confucianism.

Reading T. R. Reid's new book brought me back to that conversation. ''Confucius Lives Next Door'' is aptly named. Reid, a longtime reporter and Asia correspondent for The Washington Post, has nailed his copy of the Analects to the mast. Drawing on the experience of his own and his family's life in Tokyo and other east Asian points, he has written a paean to what he terms ''east Asia's social miracle -- how the Asians have built modern industrial societies characterized by the safest streets, the best schools and the most stable families in the world.'' Asians, he holds, have ''a sense of civility and harmony that you can feel,'' and they ''achieved their social miracle primarily by holding to a

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

According to Reid, a few of the major “Confucianism” ethos and practices involve ‘Ren’, ‘yi’ and ‘li’ which represents the concept of ‘altruism’ along with clear depiction of the humanness for other individuals (Reid 29-66).

     Confucius’s counsel and guidance recorded in The Analects instilled wisdom when they were first recorded and continue to provide a thought provoking analysis of life and the checkpoints that guide it. The Master’s commentary on restraint, diligence, decency, and citizenship are well intended and relevant. Politics and the role of government also come under scrutiny as Confucius offers his insights in bettering the organization of power. His proverb-like admonitions use clear examples of everyday life allowing them to be understood and easily digested. Confucius’s own eagerness and willingness to share goodness he experienced makes it easier to apply and practice in one’s own life.

As one of the most influential beliefs, Confucianism dominates Chinese interpersonal relationshiop, and Confucian filial piety provides a guiding principle governing Chinese familiesm. For parenting methods, it is “associated with rigidity, low cognitive complexity, and negative personality orientation in children, and with harsh, controlling, or overprotective childrearing practices” (Ho 1994, ). Since Jason’s parents wish him to take over the family business and continue the family’s fame, the family lineage through marriage and children. In this context, the strong traditional beliefs lead to the “authoritarian parenting style, Jason’s parents are highly likely to suppress Jason’s interest and dream, they might ask Jason unconditionally to obey their wishes”

Confucius, who lived from 551-479 BCE, was a Chinese philosopher, teacher, and politician. Confucius had written a set of books or ideas and concepts called The Analects. These were different collections of sayings that Confucius had written to reflect his ideas about different things like politics, family, morality, and many more. Confucius is also the creator of the commonly used “Golden Rule” of “do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” Through his teachings, books, and his followers, the philosophy of Confucianism was created. In Doctrine of the Mean, Confucius explains how to perfect oneself and how to become a morally righteous person. He explains how one must maintain a balance into a constant state of equilibrium.

Confucius, the most influential philosophers of Chinese religions has stated many upon many quotes in his time of living. As a Christian many quotes by Confucius can be used to grow in one’s belief as well as enhancing our interactions with the Chinese society. The quote such as “The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance”. Christians can use this quote with a scripture that can back it up with James 4:17, Therefore to him that know to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (KJV). Both Christians and Chinese believers now knows that as we grow spiritually, we are to live spiritually correct. For if we fail to do so the chances are we may influence our brothers and sisters it is okay

Confucius created a system of thinking called Confucianism. If only one word could be used to summarize the Chinese way of life for the last two thousand years, that word would be Confucian. No other person has had as great an effect on the life and thought of the Chinese people as Confucius. He is the most adored person in Chinese history. Confucius claimed no greatness, instead he looked to a past time that he saw as the golden age. He told one of his disciples, "I transmit but I do not create. I am sincerely fond of the ancient. I would compare myself to Old P'eng who was fond of talking about the good old days." Confucius was a transmitter of the wisdom of the past. From his study of Chinese tradition, he gathered the

One of the most famous people in ancient China was a wise philosopher named Confucius (circa

According to Posselt & Förstl (2012) previous research has shown that one main contributor to successful implementation of new services is a unique or superior service. Storey and Hull (2010) coincide and further explained that it is not possible to use a “one size fits all” approach when developing personal services. They conducted a study, which investigated the effect of different organizational knowledge management strategies on the process of service development. They stated that for organizations, which rely mainly on personalized information where services involve personal interactions and