Confucius

Confucius, Kung Fu-Tzu (551-479 BC)

"Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself."

His though revolves around ethics and morality. [For most of the classical thinkers ethics are important; ethics and state/politics are same]

Meaning of Kung Fu-Tzu is "Master King"; a thinker, political figure, China's first teacher and a founder of the "Ru School of Chinese Thought"; known as Socrates of China.

His ideas was to creating social and political harmony through good governance, proper human relations and individual moral development.

He believed that reform would come through educating leaders.

[he do not believed in democracy; believed in autocracy]

Books (extra Books)

1. Confucius Says
2. Book of Documents
3. Book of Rights
4. Classic of poetry

Primary sources

Confucius claimed to derive his teachings from the "Ancients" whose wisdom is embodied in "The Five Classics" (Wu Jing):

1. The I Jung (Book of Changes)
2. The Shu Jing (Book of History)
3. The Shih Jing (Book of Odes [poetry])
4. The Li Ji (Book of Rites)
5. The Ch'un-ch'iu (Spring and Autumn Annals)

The Four Books (Ssu-chu) - a collection of Confucius and his disciple's teachings.

1. Analects
2. The Doctrine of the Mean
3. The Great Learning
   
4. The Book of Meng-Tzu

Views on Education

Anyone and everyone should be educated. Education to all.

[common mass do not have ability to elect, through education they can get it]

With formal education, students should also learn to love others and appreciate them; know as "moral education"

Five Constant Virtues

1. Benevolence/Humanity (ren) - Compassion
2. Propriety (Li) - Social & Moral Behavior
3. Righteousness/Justice (Yi) 
4. Wisdom/Knowledge (Zhi)
5. Trustworthiness/Integrity (Xin)

Universal Golden Rule

[His view on human nature]

Originally human nature is good. But, human is imperfect. Perfection can be achieve by training.

Benevolence/Humanity (ren) is fundamental virtue needs "Zhong" and "Shu".

"Zhong" embodies the positive practice or "the golden rule of Ren".

"Shu" embodies the negative practice of the "Silver rule of Ren": one should not treat others in ways one would not like to be treated.

[Mao critics Confusion]

The Gentlemen Junzi (An exemplary man; Noble Leader)

1. The ideal figure in Confucius political thought.
2. Promotes "the way of living" which is appropriate to a well ordered society through both personal example and service in the government.;
3. He is "cultured", knows how to act and speak appropriately in any situation;
4. He is "not a commander or a ruler" but rather a "moral person" who leads by his character and conduct;
5. Quality: Truthfulness, honesty, paternal king

[if king ethical -> people will be ethical]

[Plato talk about philosopher king; where as here talk about morality or ideal king]

Good Government (Rule of Virtue)

1. Moral ideal of Government;
2. Quality: Humane Government, Guided by Virtue, Government by Moral Example;
3. Factors: sufficient food for people, sufficient Army, people's confidence in the Ruler

[Laws should be base on social traditions]