Confucianism
Harmony through hierarchy
Confucianism is a Chinese philosophical and ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius (551–479 BCE).
It emphasizes social harmony through proper relationships, filial piety, respect for elders and ancestors, and moral self-cultivation.
More a code of conduct than a religion, Confucianism shaped East Asian societies for millennia, influencing government, education, and family structure: Confucian values stress duty to family over individual desires.
Classical Chinese wisdom text
- MenciusClassical Confucian thinker
- LiBattery metal symbol
- rectificationAct of setting straight
- self-cultivationIntentional personal growth
Battery metal symbol
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- ritesFormal ceremonial acts
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- offeringsThings presented or given
incense · altar · mourning · funeral · wedding · capping · libation · temple
Moral goodness or merit
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
propriety · duty · humaneness · rectitude · respect · altruism · self-discipline · sincerity
Exam-selected Chinese administrators
- meritocracyAdvancement through demonstrated ability
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- statecraftArt of government
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
Steadiness or amount owed
- orderMethodical arrangement or request
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- equilibriumState of balance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
cooperation · hierarchy · interconnectedness · yin-yang · mean · moderation · peace
Ranked authority structure
- familyRelated people together
- eldersSenior community members
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- respectRegard with honor
loyalty · parent-child · husband-wife · patriarchy · clan · lineage · collectivism
Analects
Classical Chinese wisdom text
- MenciusClassical Confucian thinker
- LiBattery metal symbol
- rectificationAct of setting straight
Li
Battery metal symbol
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- ritesFormal ceremonial acts
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
offerings · incense · altar · mourning · funeral · wedding · capping · libation · temple · feast
virtue
Moral goodness or merit
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
loyalty · propriety · duty · humaneness · rectitude · respect · altruism · self-discipline · sincerity · trustworthiness
scholar-officials
Exam-selected Chinese administrators
- meritocracyAdvancement through demonstrated ability
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- statecraftArt of government
court · ministers · remonstrance · feudalism
balance
Steadiness or amount owed
- orderMethodical arrangement or request
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- equilibriumState of balance
stability · cooperation · hierarchy · interconnectedness · yin-yang · mean · moderation · peace
hierarchy
Ranked authority structure
respect · loyalty · parent-child · husband-wife · patriarchy · clan · lineage · collectivism
China
East Asian superpower
- Korean historyJoseon dynasty, Three Kingdoms, DMZ, demilitarized zone, Korean DMZ
- Korean Confucianismfilial piety, Joseon dynasty, civil service exams, ancestral rites, literati
- AsiaChina, India, Japan, Thailand, Korea
- ChinaBeijing, Shanghai, Great Wall, Yellow River, Chinese calligraphy
- Chinese cultureChinese calligraphy, Beijing, Chinese New Year, Daoism, Shanghai
- East AsiaChina, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Korea
Confucianismanarchism
Philosophy rejecting state authority
libertarianism · egalitarianism · radical individualism · Maoism · communism
Confucianismhedonism
Pursuit of gratification
Epicureanism · egoism · amoralism · nihilism · moral relativism