Title Cornell Notes: Confucius and His Teachings
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Kong Fu Zi = “Master Kong”
EQ: Why was Confucius important to the Chinese? Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O--AFCI4HCU
LifeBorn in 551 B.C. to a noble but poor familyDied in 479 B.C. at age 73Loved learning
Self-taught (from a poor family, could not afford tutors/ school)
Died in 479 B.C. at age 73Believed his life to be a failureTeacherPhilosopher ( a person who offers views or theories on profound questions)
Confucianism
• Ideas came to be known as Confucianism
• Persecuted in Qin Dynasty221 B.C. - 206 B.C.
• promoted by later rulers
• Reinforced by the civil examination system from 605 to 1905
•Became China’s first professional teacher•Charged students for classes• Taught rich and poor!•“I instruct only a student who bursts with eagerness”
1. What kinds of students did Confucius teach?
Discuss: Do you think you could or would have been one of his students?
Why or why not?
Teachings of Confucius
1. What was Confucius’s desires with his teachings, what was his goal?
2. Who did he want to impact?
Teachings of Confucius
Teachings of Confucius
He hoped to bring peace, stability and prosperity to China’s kingdoms
Why?Chinese states were fighting each other over land
Wanted to bring order in all of society
Wanted a ruler to follow his teachings
He never wrote down his teachingsinstead his students did!
Teachings of Confucius:The 5 Relationships
Relationship between "two persons”
each role of social relations had clearly defined duties
1. father-child
2. ruler-subject
3. husband-wife
4. elder brother-younger brother
5. friend-friend
Philosophy: a system of valuesConfucius’s teachings became known as
Confucianism
He taught about five human relationships and explained how people should act in each
“Do not do to others what you might not want done to yourself”
Although Confucianism was a philosophy, it also could be treated as a religion
It helped to guide how you should behave
Influences of ConfuciusHis teachings became part of training for Civil Services jobs
Civil Service: the group of people who carry out the work of government
People who wanted a government job had to pass official examinations that were based on Confucius
Poor Chinese men could enter government positions if they could read and write, and pass the exam.
They could go far
based on merit.
Taoism (Another Chinese Philosophy)Taoism: Happiness comes from having a balanced life
Based on Laozi’s writings in the 500s B.C.
Never as popular as Confucianism
Taoism
What do you think is similar and different about a philosophy and a religion?
Philosophy: a system of values
Religious beliefs and practices: worshiping ancestors, honoring gods, beliefs in spirits
Questions
Confucius died thinking his life was a failure.
What do you think he would have thought about the influences of his teachings?
He did not consider himself good or wise.
What would you consider him? Why?