Confucianism Philosophy: As Applied in Education, Ethics, Social Philosophy, Religion and More
“Confucianism Philosophy” is a bit redundant because Confucianism is basically a philosophy. This, and many more related significant topics, are discussed in this article.
Philosophy Professor Jensen DG. Mañebog explains that Confucianism is literally an “ism,” that is, an ideology, practice or system. He further expounds that Confucianism, in short, is a philosophy—it is a school and system of philosophical thought and movement.
Although there is nothing wrong in categorizing it as a religion—a world religion for that matter—Confucianism, nonetheless, splendidly fits as well the known characteristics of philosophies.
Confucius: The Philosopher
Also known as ‘Kong Qui’ or ‘K’ung Fu-tzu’ (also ‘Kong Fuzi’), Confucius was a Chinese philosopher, teacher, and political figure deemed as the founder of Confucianism. He was born probably in 551 B.C. in Zou, Lu state (near present-day Qufu), Shandong Province, China.
Confucius was a philosopher from China who was born to an officer in the Lu military. He studied at schools for commoners and worked in different government jobs and as a bookkeeper and caretaker of sheep and horses.
This philosopher existed during the sixth century B.C., when competing Chinese states challenged the authority of the Chou Empire and traditional philosophical ideologies declined. He thus felt a duty to strengthen the values of compassion and tradition.
On November 21, 479 B.C., Confucius died in Qufu, China. By the second century B.C., during China’s first Han Dynasty, his philosophies became the foundation of the state ideology. Today, he is generally deemed as one of the most influential philosophers and teachers in Chinese history.
Confucianism as philosophy
Confucianism refers to the philosophy, religion, or way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century BCE. It serves as the social code, the substance of learning, and the source of values and moral philosophy of the Chinese, and some people in other countries like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
To promote harmony in society, Confucianism philosophy teaches following the moral way consisting of the virtues of love, righteousness, wisdom, propriety, and loyalty in order. It involves ancestor reverence and a insightful anthropocentric religiousness.
These Confucian Classics, especially the Spring and Autumn Annals, imply the Confucian philosophy that reviving the old is the best way to attain the new or live the present.
The core philosophy of Confucianism
The core philosophy or teaching of Confucianism is to be a “gentleman” by following the moral way consisting of the virtues of love, righteousness, wisdom, propriety, and loyalty in order to promote harmony in society.
Confucius lived in a period of warring states where violence and injustice is rampant. Hence, one of his goals was the improvement and reformation of society and of man himself.
Convinced that the problem within his society was the lack of virtue, he introduced the concept of a ‘chun-tzu’ (also ‘Jūnzǐ’), the idea of the true ‘gentleman.’
So how can one become a gentleman or ‘chun-tzu’?
A ‘chun-tzu’ is described as the ideal man of the society. A ‘chun-tzu’ must have learned the code “Sage-liness within; kingliness without.” This means that to be a gentleman, one must be a wise individual like the sages, and must also have strong character like great kings.
A ‘superior man’ or ‘gentleman’ does not forget the moral law. To be truly moral, a ‘chun-tzu’ embraces at least five virtues.
For these Cardinal Virtues (or Confucian Virtues), one of the major philosophies or doctrines in Confucianism, read: The Virtues in Confucius’ Concept of a Chun-Tzu
Confucianism Philosophy in Education
As explained earlier, Confucius’ historical background led him to aspire to revive the traditional philosophical ideologies. In other words, he wanted to remedy the moral decay and value deterioration that became the characteristic of the society he had known.
And so, the “Confucianism Philosophy of Education” basically encompasses the responsibility of schools and teachers to teach and reinforce the values of compassion and tradition.
Accordingly, the Confucianism Educational Philosophy has to involve teaching about ‘ren’ or ‘loving others,’ self-discipline, and the Golden Rule: ‘What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.” (Read also: Confucius: The Golden Rule)
In other words, the Confucianism Philosophy in Education is applying Confucius’ philosophies and beliefs in pedagogy or education.
What can be said to be an application of Confucianism Philosophy in Education are the presence in the curricula of the subjects like Values Education, Good Manner and Right Conduct, Ethics, and the like.
Confucius Social Philosophy
Confucianism also teaches moral and social regulations which are concerned with human relationships. Confucius stipulates the five basic relationships that a person is a part of:
1. Ruler and subject
2. Father and son/ parent and child
3. Husband and wife
4. Older brother and younger brother
5. Friends/ older friend and younger friend
A determined set of behaviors must be maintained in each relationship:
“The father-son relationship was based on love and nurture from the father and reverence and care in old age from the son. An elder brother should be gentle with his younger brothers and set a good precedence. Younger brothers should remain respectful. A husband provides kindness and security for a deferential wife, who listens and follows his lead….
The elder friend or acquaintance was considerate and trusting of the honest and respectful younger friend. Confucius affirmed that not only did subjects have a responsibility to be loyal to the ruler, but also that the ruler had a responsibility to act out of righteousness and treat his subjects with benevolence while ensuring peace and prosperity within his kingdom.” (“The Five Relationships in Confucianism, n.d.)
Confucianism teaches that if everyone devotedly maintains each of these relationships, the society is expected to become stable and progressive.
Some Dictums in Confucianism Philosophy
The following are some philosophical statements that can be attributed to Confucianism.
| 1. The authority to rule and govern people must come from ‘above.’ |
| 2. The political ruler needs not to be of noble or royal birth, he only has to be fit to rule. |
| 3. Occurrences in the world are sanctioned and sponsored by the mandate of heaven. |
| 4. There is the need to form laws and order in order to produce ‘good’ people. |
| 5. With a person’s social name and standing come responsibilities and duties. |
These five philosophical declarations are taken from some of the philosophical doctrines of Confucianism: the Mandate of Heaven; T’ien (or Heaven), Human Nature (as Originally Good or Evil), and Rectification of Names.
For detailed discussion about these, read: Confuciunism: Confucius’ Philosophy and Teachings
Confucianism’s Applied Moral Philosophy/ Ethics
Confucianism’s so-called ethical or moral way consists of five cardinal virtues. Confucius taught these five virtues a gentleman should practice every day to live a moral and healthy life—the Five Constant Virtues (‘wǔ cháng’), also called the Five Cardinal Virtues in Confucianism.
By completing the following paragraph, you may realize that Confucianism’s moral philosophy or ethics can really be applied:
(1) Benevolence also means charity and love and requires having a ‘big heart’ for others. A benevolent person spares no effort to help others with no thought of being recompensed. As a friend, I can manifest benevolence by ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(2) Righteousness requires rational action, self-restraint to battle temptation, and the fortitude to perform one’s duty. A righteous person knows and does his specific roles in life and assumes the responsibility of working for others. As a student, I can manifest righteousness by ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(3) Propriety denotes following behavioral norms which maintain hierarchy. A proper or decent person knows the basic human relationships and accords the proper respect demanded by these relations. As a son/daughter, I can manifest propriety by ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(4) Wisdom involves listening to one’s sense of ethics, cultivating his social skills, and using the fundamental common sense. A wise person learns from his experiences and life lessons, and teaches and shares to others what he knows. As an older brother/sister/cousin, I can manifest wisdom by ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(5) Fidelity means that externally, a person’s actions match his words; and internally, his words and mind are in harmony. An honest person carries the truthfulness of his words. As a teenager, I can manifest fidelity by ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Filipino youth of today can learn a lot from Confucian filial piety. Being a filial child meant complete obedience to one’s parents during their lifetime.
When parents grow older, children should take the best possible care of them. In Confucianism, “A son could also express his devotion to his parents by passing the Civil Service examinations, winning prestige for the whole family (“Examples of Filial Piety,” n.d.).
Confucianism’s Philosophy of Religion/ Theodicy
“Does Confucianism believe in a personal God?”
Confucianism is not founded on faith in a Creator or God—although it teaches concepts like ‘heaven’ and non-material, non-physical force/s. In fact, some interpret that “god” in Confucianism refers to ‘heaven.’
However, unlike the concept of heaven in theistic religions, Confucius’ ‘heaven’ (‘t’ien’ or ‘tian’) is a guiding force of the universe, and is associated with innumerable nature-spirits, such as spirits of sun, moon, and stars, and of hills and fields and rivers.
Therefore, “heaven” is more something that which legitimizes rulers or that looks out over humanity. More discussion about “Mandate of Heaven” can be read in: Confucianism: Brief History, Core Teachings, Fundamental beliefs, Practices, and Related Issues
Interestingly, Confucianism also talks about a force called the ‘Tao,’ also known as the Great Ultimate. “Tao” was the energy or impetus for creation and that this force flows through all life, empowering transformation, change, and progress.
As regards the sacred texts of Confucianism, Confucius is said to have either written or edited the Five Classics (Confucian Classics). Read: Five Confucian Classics: A Simplified Summary
Remarkably, these Confucian Classics, especially the Spring and Autumn Annals, imply the Confucian philosophy that reviving the old is the best way to attain the new or live the present.
For other free lectures like this (especially for students), visit Homepage: Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
Copyright © by Jens Micah De Guzman
To STUDENTS:
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Also Check Out: The Worldview of Atheism by Jensen DG. Mañebog
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