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Over the centuries, Chinese thought has been the product of various influences, including Buddhism, Taoism, and Marxism.
However, a tradition was first and foremost in Chinese thought for more than two millennia: the ideas of the thinker Confucius (from 551 to 479 BC).
Although he became the symbol of Chinese philosophy, he had little success in life.
Confucius developed a political philosophy that reflected his horror at the constant war that surrounded him.
He wandered from kingdom to kingdom trying to persuade the rulers to follow his teachings, without ever reaching a lower level public office.
However, he succeeded a group of devoted adepts, who pbaded on his teachings to succeeding generations.
"obey, obey, obedient"
Confucianism, an ethically-consistent system of behavior and government, became the defining north of Chinese culture over the two millennia following, a few hundred years later, during the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD). 19659002] Confucianism is not a religion as such. Although Confucius did not deny the existence of a spiritual world, he declared that it was more important to focus on this world while he was there.
Reflecting his aversion to war, he declared that order was a fundamental requirement of society. ]
The subjects had to obey their leaders, children to their parents and their wife, to their husbands.
However, Confucius
He believed that society should be harmonious and that people should be encouraged to "develop themselves" in order to make the most of their position
The Past and Old Age [19659008] According to Confucius thought, the moral condition of a person did not depend on his social position.
<img src = "https://media.metrolatam.com/2018/12/31/104975036conf3-b8183c30e4d0bce6e597b6189f344663-1200×0.jpg" alt = "104975036conf3-b8183c30e4d0bce6e597b6189f344663.jpg [19659012] It was possible, if not everything to likely, that there are good peasants at the same time that a ruler could be perverse or a cruel aristocrat.
Confucian thought was also different from modern thinking in that it glorified the past, and defended the veneration of old age.
"I am Zhou," said Confucius, evoking the ancient dynasty that was considered a "golden age" lost by generations of Chinese Leaders.
The Contract
At the Center of Confucianism, There Is a Social Contract: The Ruled Have Allegiance to Leaders, But Leaders Who Do not Care About the Well-Being of the People Would Forfeit Their "Mandate" "and could be rightly overthrown."
By participating in the "li" (which is often translated as "ritual", but actually means something like "makeup") human beings have proved to be civilized, regardless of their origin, and could aspire to become "junzi" ( "honest people") or even "sheng" ("wise").
Confucian thought has changed dramatically over time
Confucius himself probably would not have recognized how his ideas were adapted by subsequent governors
. Ethics and harmony as the best way to govern a country, Chinese leaders have also obtained the monopoly of the use of force.
Confucius disapproved of profit-seeking as an end in itself, but of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). ) China experienced a commercial revolution at the end of the imperial period (from 1368 to 1912), until the official ideology submitted to the logic of profit.
The Traits of Confucius
Confucianism was not a monolithic set of ideas for more than 2500 years. However, its basic principles maintained what it meant to be Chinese until the mid-nineteenth century.
The impact of nationalism and communism, and its inherent love of novelty and progress, instead of respect for a golden age of the past, have destroyed many of the ideas of the past. Former Confucian world
However, these ideas have not completely disappeared
In contemporary China, the government, which is no longer related to the ideology of Mao Tse-tung, seeks to find Chinese tradition a moral core for the 21st century.
Confucius, the "number one teacher", is back in the school curriculum.
The values of order, hiera and mutual obligations remain as attractive in the 21st century as in the 5th century BC. J.-C.
* Rana Mitter is a specialist in the history and politics of modern China and the author of A bitter revolution: China's struggle against the world modern (Oxford University Press 2004)
Have you ever watched our new videos on YouTube ? Subscribe to our channel!
https: //www.youtube. com / watch? v = BO9Tjsgb24M
Confucian thought was also different from modern thinking in that it glorified the past, and defended the veneration of old age.
"I am Zhou," said Confucius, evoking the ancient dynasty that was considered a "golden age" lost by generations of Chinese Leaders.
The Contract
At the Center of Confucianism, There Is a Social Contract: The Ruled Have Allegiance to Leaders, But Leaders Who Do not Care About the Well-Being of the People Would Forfeit Their "Mandate" "and could be rightly overthrown."
By participating in the "li" (which is often translated as "ritual", but actually means something like "makeup") human beings have proved to be civilized, regardless of their origin, and could aspire to become "junzi" ( "honest people") or even "sheng" ("wise").
Confucian thought has changed dramatically over time
Confucius himself probably would not have recognized how his ideas were adapted by subsequent governors
. Ethics and harmony as the best way to govern a country, Chinese leaders have also obtained the monopoly of the use of force.
Confucius disapproved of profit-seeking as an end in itself, but of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). ) China experienced a commercial revolution at the end of the imperial period (from 1368 to 1912), until the official ideology submitted to the logic of profit.
The Traits of Confucius
Confucianism was not a monolithic set of ideas for more than 2500 years. However, its basic principles maintained what it meant to be Chinese until the mid-nineteenth century.
The impact of nationalism and communism, and its inherent love of novelty and progress, instead of respect for a golden age of the past, have destroyed many of the ideas of the past. Former Confucian world
However, these ideas have not completely disappeared
In contemporary China, the government, which is no longer related to the ideology of Mao Tse-tung, seeks to find Chinese tradition a moral core for the 21st century.
Confucius, the "number one teacher", is back in the school curriculum.
The values of order, hiera and mutual obligations remain as attractive in the 21st century as in the 5th century BC. J.-C.
* Rana Mitter is a specialist in the history and politics of modern China and the author of A bitter revolution: China's struggle against the world modern (Oxford University Press 2004)
Have you ever watched our new videos on YouTube ? Subscribe to our channel!
https: //www.youtube. com / watch? v = BO9Tjsgb24M
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