Confucianism and Daoism Study Guide

chun-tzu

Confucian *ideal or noble person*: wise, tranquil, compassionate, educated, great leader; person of *fully evolved character* and manifests *human-heartedness* noble more focused on giving others recognition than recognition of self; noble always seeks to find what is right; noble able to influence others

Li

"attentive performance of social ritual and everyday etiquette shapes human character in accordance with archetypal patterns" focus on *propriety and right conduct* (etiquette), following laws and conforming to social rule, *external* children to respect parents and elders; hosts kind and generous to guests; person without pride or indulgence of pleasures/desires; live life in balanced, easy fashion; if rulers submitted to Li, everyone would respond to his goodness

hsiao

"children who serve their parents will be free from pride, insubordination, and will not be quarrelsome" *filial piety, respect of parents, elders and superiors*; family incredibly important--why must appreciate, love, and treat family and elders with respect; to serve those now dead as if they were living is highest achievement of true filial piety value originates from ancient Chinese importance of ancestor worship--*honoring ancestors brings harmony*

Tien-ming

"mandate of heaven", word of "heaven" notion that heaven (Tien) conferred directly upon an emperor, the son of heaven (Tienzi), the right to rule, doctrine had its beginnings in the early Zhou dynasty; explanation given to Shang people by Zhou when they were conquered; the logic is that heaven (Tien) sets up new rulers as soon as the previous one turns away from proper virtue--overthrow of current ruler necessary (revolution) if ruler not acting in way of Tien *definition changes under Confucius, seen as a call to moral action to spiritual elite, not just a bestowal of dynastic power to political rulers*

Te/de

"only influence one really has on others flows directly from the moral fiber of one's character" *moral force or virtue, charisma*; virtuous person able to lead and influence others; if you govern people with proper action (Li), good attitude and compassion (Ren), and moral charisma (Te), people will respect, love, and have trust in their leader

Great Learning

"the work of transforming the world requires one's own self transformation" bringing *peace to self* helps to bring peace to the world; *gradual process* to harmony; "fix" character with right values to *gain virtue ethic*; *loving people* as good leader brings benevolence (best for community); *highest good* brings harmony and order (respect and trust of community) transformation begins with self, then to family, then to community, then to state (world)

ren/jen

"without goodness, a person cannot for long endure adversity or long enjoy prosperity" Confucian *virtue of kindness*, empathy, consideration for others, humaneness, and/or goodness, *internal (good attitude)*; truly noble never for a moment quits the way of Ren

3 Categories--Daoism

1) What is Ultimate Reality? natural harmony 2) What is the Problem? disharmony between humans and nature 3) What is the Solution? *wu-wei* (non-action); live healthily by *prioritizing human body and its relationship with nature and cosmos*; internal and external affair in accordance with the Dao; let go of pre-conceived ideas; no conformity--no built structure unless *natural*; no gaining of knowledge--want *quiet mind*

3 Categories--Confucianism

1) What is Ultimate Reality? social and moral harmony 2) What is the Problem? social and moral disharmony 3) What is the Solution? develop moral character--*perfect it*; live ethically in accordance with *social rules, golden rule, and moral dictates of Tian*; *educate self* as way to gain knowledge (wen); help create harmony throughout cosmos starting with transformation of self

Confucius

Chinese philosopher known also as Kong Fuzi and created one of the most influential philosophies in Chinese history Confucianism; believed Tian as highest religious authority and conscious will reached out to moral and noble men of all diverse backgrounds, not just the moral elite or leaders--sees Tianming as a call to moral action for spiritually elite; wrote the Analects very important Confucius text

Tien

Confucian higher principle, word for "heaven" or cosmos; word seen in nature; has special relationship with humans and communicates with chose individuals its grand design for humanity (Tian-ming), only discerned by perceptive, insightful, moral humans "if you just observe nature, nature will teach reality"

Confucianism vs Daoism

Confucianism: - structured, rules - respect - social - cosmology - family, community, elders, state... - education - strict, discipline, consequences Daoism: - naturalistic - instinct - focus on what you want - individual - wu-wei (action without action) - going with natural flow of things

Chuang-Tzu (Daoism)

Daoist who emphasized naturalism and the mind: naturalism--describes nature as ideal environment; should forget identity and look to nature for truth mind--quiet mind allows true nature to arise; mind should act like mirror and reflect things as they are Chuang-Tzu saw consumer society as trap and brings nothing good; holds anti-social belief and philosophy; pushes natural state of behavior

Tao/Dao and its characteristics

Tao is infinite and present within, "Great Mother" with ability to create worlds; described as open, selfless, and generous; source and sustenance of all things; goal to conform to the Tao by going with the flow, being calm, and acting/thinking/living Dao *free from desire, you realize mystery of Tao; caught in desire, you see only manifestations*

wu-wei

action of non-action; considered specific skill and should be used in everyday life; must remain unattached to actions even in good and bad

review of Confucianism and Daoism

both contribute to shaping Chinese religious mindset: Confucianism values continue to inform Chinese familial ethics and social/political behavior, while Daoism prioritizes well-bring of the human body and harmonious relationship with nature and spiritual world *review of both East Asian traditions:* Confucianism--emphasizes fulfillment of human potential as ultimate concern; strive for human perfection as form of divine calling (Tian) with goal of assorting human coequality with the divine Daoism--has perception of divine Absolute as life-generating, female entity (Dao); emphasizes call for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature; sees healthy improvement of human body as religious mission; promotes communal cohesiveness through ritual participation

virtue ethic

doing something because it is the *right* thing to do, type of *internal* regulation; can be gained by calm, tranquil, reposed character which together will bring *deliberation as highest good*; education also necessary to be ethical--theory and models extend knowledge

5 Constant Relationships

duties of universal obligation are of 5 relationships: - ruler and subject - parents and children - husband and wife - elder siblings and younger siblings - friends moral qualities by which they are carried out consist of wisdom, compassion, and courage

wen

education through literature, music, history, and philosophy/ethics; essential ingredients in the work of transforming human nature toward good

Lao Tzu (Daoism)

founder of Daoism; emphasizes elaborate belief in cosmological importance of human body and yearning for physical transformation and perfection, very naturalistic

Daoism and political rule

good leader/politician acts in way to get things done without peoples' awareness--people should think they did it themselves; should want to improve world but can't change or control it (only moral force); lead but give others recognition and trust people to work harmoniously if given opportunity to work together how realistic? people like to see action in real world; hard to assume everyone will act with goodness of heart; people like control and structure so not very realistic

telos

purpose or goal, 3 types of telics: 1) exo-telic--action to gain something; external goal 2) auto-telic--no goal, action for self-cultivation; activity for its own sake 3) endo-telic--end of purpose; transcended all purposes of activity; goal of Daoism less you care, more significant outcome is (lasts forever)--"do your work, then step back...this is the only path to serenity"

Mencius (Confucianism)

sees humans as naturally good: 1) self transformation brings social good 2) social environment affects/encourages the "good" born a century after Confucius' death, claimed to be his rightful successor, reaffirming moral cultivation as a religious calling; *added to Confucian belief system with his insistence on the goodness of humans*, upholding Confucius' optimistic view of human perfectibility; wrote Mencius text, emphasizes that every human has potential to become sage

process of formation (chun-tzu as goal)

self transformation to reach chun-tzu (ideal person) requires daily action; transformation of self requires development of character over time and development/practice of Confucius values Li, Ren, Te, Hsiao, and Wen; ideal person is wise, compassionate, educated, and great leader self-cultivation relies on relationships/roles with self, family, community, and state; chun-tzu leader points to positive outcomes (harmony) and model of ideal behavior, attitude, and learning

virtues of Daoism

selfless action, no recognition, action for its own sake

poh loh the horse trainer

story of famous horse trainer; "trained" and groomed horses in way he thought was right but made horses angry, resentful, and unhappy; used to help explain ways of Daoism--if society has structure and rules, humans will lose natural aspect to them, spontaneity, and happiness

yin and yang

two forces in the universe, according to ancient Chinese Theory: Yin is the passive, dark, associated with negative force, and Yang is the active, light, associated with positive force 2 polar complementary opposites constantly interacting (think swinging pendulum)--emphasizes harmony of opposites and balance