Confucius

The Secular as Sacred

Confucius, the man

Not a successful politician.

Not an atheist.

Not well known in his lifetime.

Not much actually known about the man.

Circa 551-479 BCE

Historical Context:The Warring States 403 -- 221 BCE Small kingdoms fighting for

dominance. Ca. 221 BCE Qin (Ch’in)

Dynasty takes control. States unified under an

absolute monarchy. Qin Shi Huangdi

Qin Shihuangdi

秦始皇帝Chin shhr hwong dee

China in the Warring States period

The Warring States: 450-206 BCE

Ch’in region began expanding 328 BCE.

Ch’in expanded North and South first, then Eastward.

Start of Great Wall of China.

Han Dynasty 206 BCE -- 9 CE

206 BCE Liu PangFormer peasantLeads RevoltBecomes Emperor

Confucianism becomes model for government service.

Humanism

Human is an autonomous being, capable of self-determination.

Individual choices can make a difference in society and alter the course of history.

Secular Humanism v. Sacred Humanism

Religion v. Philosophy

In China, Confucianism is considered a religion.

Does not focus on:Revealed DoctrinesTheismAfter-life

Chün tzu

Gentleman by birth.

Gentleman by actions.

li

“to sacrifice”

Rituals of courtesy

Rules of Propriety

Do this:

1) Write your own definition for “ritual.”

2) What rituals have you participated in in the past month?

3) What rituals are hallmarks of the university experience?

4) What rituals are important to you?

Questions about defining Ritual

1) Is divinity a necessary component?

2) How do rituals function? (awe v. comfort)

3) Lots of people brew coffee in the morning, but for some the act is a ritual. What makes the difference?

4) Keep in mind noun v. adjective

5) Is your definition ethnocentric?

6) Does definition of ritual change with culture? Or only examples of culturally significant rituals?

For the more philosophical:

Why are rituals important?

Where do rituals come from?

What would life be like without rituals?

How is art/religion/culture a ritual enactment of identity?

Definitions of Ritual

1) Any customary ceremony or observance.

2) A set of actions regularly and invariably followed by someone.

3) A conventional act or social gesture without intrinsic purpose.

Definitions of Ritual

4) Set of actions performed mainly for symbolic value.

5) Actions and symbolism of a ritual are prescribed by some external force, not chosen by the performer of the ritual.

Definitions of Ritual

6) An aid to the formation of group identity, used to set, fix, and re-inforce shared values.

7) Etiquette, rules of propriety.

Confucian Self-Realization

“ritualization” is a dynamic process, not a passive one. (Eastman p. 195)

Language matters.

Attention to heart-mind (conscience) distinguishes us from animals.

Extend obligations beyond self.

The Analects: Categories of Topics

Culture

Conduct of Affairs

Loyalty to Superiors

Keeping of Promises

Mencius (Meng-tzu)

Circa 390 BCE - 305 BCE

Ch’in region expanding, gaining dominance.

How to study this reading: Compare with The Analects Treat as an explanation of The Analects Look for points of similarity and disagreement

The Book of Mencius (Meng-tzu)

“How can I profit from my state?” (p. 187)

Refer back to Analects (p. 177) “The Master said, A gentleman takes as

much trouble to discover what is right as lesser men take to discover what will pay.”

The Last Word:

The Master said, “Anyone learning without thought is lost; anyone thinking, but not learning, is in peril.”