Homework C-4 due Tuesday.

Current Events article due Friday.

Aim #4: How did the philosophy of Confucius promote stability and order in ancient China?

October 30, 2015

I. Background of Confucius (551 B.C.- 479 B.C.) Born into a lower noble family

during the “Era of Warring States” at the end of the Zhou Dynasty.

Becomes a scholar and teacher

Tries to become an advisor to

government officials, but is usually turned away.

Goal: A Peaceful, Harmonious Society

II. Three Groups Contribute to Achieving a Peaceful, Harmonious Society A. Role of the Individual

1. Try to become a better person through education. The most powerful and respected people in society and government should be the hardest-working and most educated.

2. Confucius believed that people who acted properly and achieved an education could enter government and reform society.

What are some reforms Confucius would have believed in?

II. Three Groups Contribute to Achieving a Peaceful, Harmonious SocietyB. Role of the Family

1. If you have order within the family by following “The Five Constant Relationships” and showing filial piety (respect of sons and daughters towards their parents and elders), order in society and government will follow.

Ruler and Subject Husband and Wife Parent and Child Older and Younger Sibling Peer and Peer

II. Three Groups Contribute to Achieving a Peaceful, Harmonious SocietyC. Role of the Ruler → “The Superior Man”

1. Serves as a role model/good example to his subjects. He is a “father” to his people.

Critical Thinking Questions (don’t copy): What kind of behavior would Confucius expect from a ruler

who was a “superior man”?

Do you think Confucius would support people rebelling against a corrupt ruler? Why or why not?

III. Impact of Confucianism

After his death, Confucius’ disciples wrote his sayings in “The Analects” Sacred Text

During the later Han dynasty, appointments to government positions became based on knowledge of Confucian ideas.

It influenced social life, government and education for over 2000 years.