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?