• • • • •
The I Jing (“Book of Changes”) The Shu Jing (“Book of History”) The Shih Jing (“Book of Odes” [poetry]) The Li Ji (“Book of Rites”) The Ch’un-ch’iu (“Spring & Autumn Annals”)
The further expression of Confucian philosophy
“The Four Books” (Ssu-chu)
• • • •
Analects (Lun-Yu) The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong) The Great Learning (Ta-hsueh) The Book of Meng-Tzu (Mencius, 371-288 BC)
Confucius (Kung Fu-Tzu)*
(551-479 BCE)
& Confucianism
*Family name = Kung (Kong) Personal name = Zhong-ni Kung Fu-Tzu (Kong Fu-zi) = “Master Kung” “Confucius” = Latinization of “Kung Fu-Tzu”
The primary sources of Confucian philosophy
Confucius claimed to derive his teachings from “the Ancients,” whose wisdom is embodied in “The Five Classics” (Wu Jing)
• 221-207 BCE: Qin (Ch’in) Dynasty (“The Burning of the
Books” in 213 BC) - Legalism enthroned; Confucianisontinued
• 206 BCE-25 CE: Former • 266-316 CE: Jin (Chin) Han Dynasty (beginnings of Dynasty official state Confucianism) • 316-589 CE: Era of North• 25-220 CE: Later Han South Division - 16 Northern Dynasty (rise of Chinese
• The Medieval Age (2nd-10th centuries CE): relations & conflicts between Confucianism, Taoism, & Buddhism • The Modern Age (11th century -Present)
– Neo-Confucianism (incorporation of Taoist & Buddhist elements in an overall Confucian perspective) (Chu Hsi, 1130-1200 CE & many others) – 20th century impact of Western philosophies such as Pragmatism & Marxism
The History of Chinese Philosophy
• The Classical Age (6th century BCE-2nd century CE)
– – – – – – Confucianism (Confucius, 551-479 BCE) Taoism (Lao Tzu, 6th century BCE) Mohism (Mo Tzu, 468-376 BCE) The Yin-Yang School (founder unknown) The School of Names (Logic) (Hui Shih, c. 380-305 BCE) Legalism (Han Fei Tzu, d. 23 BCE)
Chronology of Chinese History
• c. 6000 BCE: Prehistory (belief in life after death; bone
divination) - legendary Hsia Dynasty (c. 1994-1500 BC)
• c. 1500-1040 BCE: Shang Dynasty (polytheism;
Anthem
The ancient State of Lu
That’s where Confucius was born & spent most of his life.
Confucianism originated in China, but its influence spread to Korea & Japan over the centuries.
spiritism; ancestor veneration; bone & shell divination)
• 1040-256 BCE: Zhou (Chou) Dynasty (feudal era &
classical age; rise of Shang-Ti & “Mandate of Heaven;” ancestor veneration & divination practices; continued belief in spiritism; interest in life-prolongation & immortality; 8th-5th centuries BC period of disorder; emergence of classical Chinese philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, Legalism, etc.) - Era of Warring States (475-221 BC)