Confucius as the Founder of a Profound Philosophy - Essay Example

05 December Confucius: The Founder of a Profound Philosophy China is a country that has been nourished under a very interesting history since the prehistoric times? The history points to the fact that several kings and dynasties have ruled the country? some of them being mythical? arising doubts to their existence? whereas others being real with solid evidence from the ancient scriptures and writings? Each king has played a part in shaping the country as well as providing the citizens with his own set of laws and regulations that governed their lives? One such prominent leader was K’ung-fu-tzu ( Great Master Kong)? and to the world he is better known by his Latinized name? Confucius? Confucius? born in BC 551 in the Lu Province? was one of the greatest philosophers witnessed by the world and in particular China? He was also a teacher as well as a political theorist who founded his own system based on his thinking and philosophies? He is often paralleled with the Greek philosopher Socrates so it becomes clear how important and significant his teachings are? He was born a descendant of the Shang Dynasty and was also a member of the ruling clan? Shih? However his family was not one that had a lot of wealth under its name? His father was a petty official whose marriage did not end very well as he divorced his wife for bearing him only three daughters and a son who was disfigured? The father than married a fifteen year old girl and the great philosopher took birth? Confucius was forced into different kinds of labor like working as a keeper of the granary? supervising the fields etc mainly because he lost his father at an early age? Despite the fact that he was engaged in manual labor? he was more inclined towards the system of education? that is? learning as well as teaching? He was responsible for the school of thought known as ‘Confucianism?’ which believes that “familial relationships are the foundation for society” (McDevitt, p.46). Although Confucius is the father of this school of thought? he was not seen as the Lord or the Savior? he was just considered to be a ‘Sage teacher?’ Confucianism is not a religion that was founded by Confucian? rather it is “a tradition generally rooted in Chinese culture and nurtured” (An Introduction to Confucianism, p.17). by him and his disciples .Though he started out with working petty jobs? he gradually “rose through the administrative hierarchy” and around the time when he was 40 years old? he became “the prefect (Zai) and director of public works” (Huanyin,p.1). in Lu and began to spread Confucianism? He traveled to different provinces and began to inscribe in the minds of the audience his teachings and his wisdom in order to show the people the right path of life? He developed his teachings into a book during the later stages of his life when he returned to Lu and this collection of his philosophical thoughts and teachings came to be known as ‘analects?’ During the time he faced a lot of problems as his only son had passed away and so did a very loyal disciple of his? He was also deeply grieved by the fact the leaders of his own state would not accept his teachings? Confucius’ journey of life came to an end in 479 BCE and he was mourned by followers all over China. For any great leader to think and ponder deeply about particular things? there needs to be some sort of external stimulus that influences these thoughts? When does one actually think? When he sees things around him that he fails to understand why they happen and also things that cause trouble than that make one happy? Needless to say? Confucius’ thinking was influenced by various external factors and experiences that he went through? Now in order to understand Confucianism, one needs to possess a clear knowledge about the political and historical context from which it has arisen. Throughout the history of China? it becomes clear that the country has witnessed the rise and fall of a lot of dynasties? some of which were more inclined towards the welfare of the people? whereas the others were keen on exploiting and extracting the maximum possible benefits out of the people. Whatever the case was? the Chinese society always followed a “highly structured and hierarchical” pattern of reign that was always ruled by noble figures? and any threat to this pattern entails the social and economic well being of the country being put to risk (Confucianism). To fully trace the historical origin of Confucius’s school of thoughts, one needs to travel back to 1766 BCE when the Shang dynasty ruled over China. The reign of this dynasty lasted till 1122 BCE and marked the unfortunate end of a glorious era in Chinese history. The “semi-feudal and agriculturally based empire” (Confucianism, par. 2) began undergoing development with the help of ancient standards of writing as well as its skilled deployment of bronze for various purposes. However, China began experiencing downfall once the less civilized Chou Dynasty took over control from the Shang dynasty? and divided the empire into different ‘Chou generals.’ Being based on the northern china, the rule of Shang Dynasty was strong and centralized? but with the coming of Chou dynasty, this unity was lost. The infamous reign of the Chou dynasty lasted until 771 BCE when some “feudal vessel kings with the help of other powers from outside the empire? overthrew the Chou family” (Confucianism, par. 5). The fall of Chou family facilitated the states coming into their own power and this marked the beginning of chaos all across china as rivaling kingdoms fought for more land and power. The warfare for supremacy between states grew and this era was coined “the period of warring states” (Confucianism, par. 7). The social as well as political turbulence along with the huge loss of life and property gave way to questions regarding the cause of such misfortune and what would be an ideal society and government structure. Many Chinese thinkers shared their theories? but above all of them rose the school of thought developed by Confucius. The origin of Confucianism was in Lu? just as its founder? and that is where it acquired its popularity and started to spread to other places. The state of Lu was under the reign of a ducal house that comprised of the following aristocratic families: Ji, Meng and Shu. Things started to fall apart when the main attendant of the Ji family started to rebel? which ultimately got him expelled from Lu. The chaos caused by this forced the families to look into Confucius’s theory and also made them realize its significance? There were problems of betrayal seen in both Meng and Shu families? which also provided an opportunity to Confucius to reveal his thoughts and win over the two families? Therefore? gradually along with the development of Confucius’ thoughts and ideas? his points of view and teachings began to gain immense reputation as well. Confucius who was determined to be a scholar from a young age, developed a passion for a society under one ruler to bring peace, justice and harmony to the people. His thoughts wandered the deepest secrets about peace and harmony and his insight and passion developed his theories. He was inspired by the Zhou dynasty under which the system of monarchy or one man would rule over china. This was proof that his ideas can be implemented. Therefore? it can be seen that his ideas and thoughts were influenced by political and social situations and it becomes clear under what environments these thought developed? As mentioned earlier? Confucius was more keen on learning and teaching rather than politics? However? in his mind he has his own picture of what an ideal government structure should be? This meant that he had formulated his own political theory facilitated by his ideas as well as his school of thought? It becomes clear that Confucius’ thoughts were based on the tradition followed in ancient China and since the Zhou empire was an ancient one? it influenced the thinking of this great Chinese philosopher? During the era of warring states? it could be seen that Confucius said in his gatherings that chaos fell all around because of the fall of the Zhou Dynasty? which when in rule? maintained peace and harmony throughout China unifying all states into one big country under the wings of tranquility? According to Confucius? “A moral education, ideally, provides one with the building blocks for self-cultivation, harmony and ethical action, which can maintain and restore value and meaning for society” (Confucius-Biography, par.5). which he thought to be the main aim of the Zhou Dynasty ? The teachings of Confucius revolved around six main elements? of which the one he thought to have held the highest prominence was ‘ritual' that mainly comprised morality? He believed that morality is what held an economy? the people as well as the government all together as one? He also believed that harmony can be achieved only through the acknowledgement as well as frequent practice of morality? The other five elements of his teachings were: “archery, calligraphy, chariot, computation, music” which also played a significant role in the system of education (Confucius-Biography, par.5). Confucianism in terms of some aspects is similar to a religion? however it is not a religion in reality? It is rather a system of ethical and philosophical teachings? It is not a religion as it does not bring to fore any divine entity as is normally seen in the case of religions? nor does it speak in detail about the afterlife? Although it does talk about heaven in the context of the special relationship that Confucius shared with ‘Tian?’ the divine element of heaven or sky? Despite all the advancements in modern technology as well as the development in human life? man is yet to come up with solid evidence of the existence of God? Whereas some believe that God exists as they cannot prove his non existence? others believe that God does not exist as they cannot prove his existence? Either way the confusion of the existence of a divine entity can be traced back to ancient China and to the beliefs of Confucius? where he says that “man is subject to the parameters set forth by the Tian?” although he is free to make his own choices of abiding by those parameters or not (Confucius-Biography, par.6). However, there can be seen a conflict with this? as the Analects describe him to be more of a humanist through the fact that “his discourses about man's nature, and the Way (Tao) of Heaven, cannot be heard” (Confucianism, par. 6). This shows that he is unwilling to speak of matters that are beyond the understanding of ordinary man and? therefore? it transpires that he was not basically interested in evidences for the existence of god or even the afterlife? Thus it can be said that though Confucius was aware of the bond he shared with the Zhou deity? he still wanted to be a skeptic and embrace humanism rather than exerting importance on divine forces? Confucius wants his followers to respect spiritual beings but not so much as become greatly involved with them? as he finds such an involvement to be an obstacle in the way of a harmonious and good life? Confucius’ teachings were founded on ethics that involved mainly two components: Jen and Li? The former refers to the “virtues of humaneness” (An Introduction to Confucianism, p.17). and is concerned with doing good to others by thinking beyond the ‘self?’ whereas the latter refers to rites and is concerned with the ancient rituals and ceremonies that is to be followed accurately What Confucius wants to convey is that when these teachings are followed by noble and authoritative figures the common man will follow it immediately? as “what makes a government good is the power of moral virtues” (An Introduction to Confucianism, p.18). In any kingdom or country the leaders have the power to influence the greater public? and this is why Confucius traveled all over China and approached various kings to follow his teachings and to imbibe the values in them into politics? He was unsuccessful at this however but did not give up? rather he continued to gather people and tell them about his teachings? These followers later came to be the ones who actually let his legend stay alive amongst all of China as well as the world? The teachings of Confucius can never be forgotten and will be held precious in the hearts of all Chinese as after all it is all based on their ancient tradition? it is what defines them and makes them Chinese? Works Cited McDevitt, Rachel. Confucianism Understanding and Applying The Analects of Confucius. Spring. 2006. Web. 30 November 2012. < http://www.asian-studies.org/eaa/Confucianism_Handouts.pdf> An Introduction to Confucianism. Cambridge University Press. n.d. Web. 30 November 2012. < http://118.175.86.88/files/private/AN%20INTRODUCTION%20TO%20CONFUCIANISM_0.PDF> Confucianism. 2012. Web. 30 November 2012. Confucius-Biography. The European Graduate School. 1997. Web. 30 November 2012. < http://www.egs.edu/library/confucius/biography/> Huanyin, Yang. Confucius (K’ung TZU). UNESCO. 1999. Web. 30 November 2012. < http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/archive/publications/ThinkersPdf/confucie.PDF> Read More