Confucius

Confucius

Open Ended

What are the most important relationships in society?

Philosophy

System of ideas

Filial Piety

Respect for parents

Early Life

Confucius was born in 551 B.C. He was born into a noble but poor family. Confucius wanted to become a counselor for local government officials. He spent many years traveling from court to court talking to various rulers about how to govern. Unable to find a job in government, he turned to teaching as a profession.

Growing Reputation

Over time, his reputation for wisdom increased. As a result, he began to attract a large number of students.

Growing Reputation

Confucius lived during the same period of time as two other influential thinkers, Socrates and Gautama Buddha. All three of these individuals never wrote down any of their ideas. After his death, Confucius' students collected many of his teachings and wrote them down.

Philosophy

In contrast to Buddha, Confucius had little interest in religious concerns. Confucius developed a philosophy, or system of ideas, concerning more worldly goals such as ensuring social order and maintaining good government.

Multiple Choice

What is philosophy?

• A system of ideas

• Beliefs concerning one's fate in the afterlife

• A delicious dish served with bread

• Beliefs and practices connected with a certain religion

Multiple Choice

Confucius lived during the same time as which of the following two famous historical figures?

• King Solomon and Hammurabi

• Buddha and Socrates

• Cleopatra and Marc Antony

• Pocahontas and John White

Ideas

Confucius' taught a set of ideas that he believed would lead to social harmony. Confucius stressed five central relationships: father to son, elder brother to younger brother, husband to wife, ruler to subject, and friend to friend.

Ideas

According to Confucius, everyone in society had responsibilities and duties. For example, women had the duty to provide harmony and stability in the home. Rulers were responsible for providing good government. Confucius placed filial piety, or respect for parents, above all other duties.

The Spread of Confucian Ideas

The ideas of Confucius came to influence nearly every aspect of Chinese life in the centuries after his death. Chinese rulers came to rely on Confucian ideas and often chose Confucian scholars as officials.

The Spread of Confucian Ideas

As the power and influence of Chinese civilization grew, Confucian ideas spread to other Asian countries including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

Multiple Choice

Which duty did Confucius consider to be the most important?

• Financial planning

• A strong military

• Filial Piety

• Careful speech

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is most true about Confucianism?

• The ideas of Confucius were neglected and eventually forgotten.

• The ideas of Confucius came to influence almost every aspect of Chinese society.

• Confucianism was embraced by most European countries.

• Confucianism considered respect for parents to be unimportant.

Open Ended

Discuss one important thing that you learned today about the life of Confucius and his ideas.