Confucius' teachings, preserved in the Analects, focused on creating ethical models of family and public interaction, and setting educational standards.

1. Confucius
An overview
Wang Boyan
Tony Ng
Ang Yi-Ian
Ryan Low
Low Yu teng
Sherwyn Koh

2. Aka Kong Qui
His teachings, preserved in the Analects, focused on
creating ethical models of family and public
interaction, and setting educational standards.
He died in 479 B.C.
Introduction

3. Introduction
Confucianism later became the official imperial philosophy of
China, and was extremely influential during the Han, Tang
and Song dynasties.
His teachings are foundational to Asian cultures. His writings,
The Five Classics, a collection of ancient Chinese literature,
and The Four Books, a collection of Confucius' and his
disciple's teachings, was for centuries the standard
curriculum for Chinese education.

4. Background of Confucius:
Why had he come up with COnfucianism
Born in the Lu province in China.
Lived during the Chou dynasty when the land was divided among
feudal lords (a man of rank in the ancient regime).
Moral and social order was in a state of decay,
this pushed Confucius to seek a way to restore cultural-political
order.
儒

5. Believed that reform would come through educating leaders
in the classics and his philos0phy.
Had a cabinet position at the age of 50, ascended to higher
positions of public office.
However, he resigned his post at 55 due to internal
conflicts and political disagreements.
He then traveled for 13 years teaching and trying to
persuade political leaders to adopt his teachings.
Background of Confucius:
Why had he come up with COnfucianism

6. Although the lords all respected him, not one gave him a position.
Discouraged, COnfucius devoted his final years to teaching and writing
while expressing his discouragement and disillusionment regarding
his career.
Although Confucius himself was not that successful in terms of
persuading the government to adopt his teachings, his disciples had
better luck and managed to get prominent positions in government.
Background of Confucius:
Why had he come up with COnfucianism

7. In addition to Confucius’ teachings, his disciples also
added their own insights.
The teachings and insights are what we call
Confucianism today.
Background of Confucius:
Why had he come up with COnfucianism

8. Anyone and everyone should be educated.
The method of teaching depends on the student.
Students can get something new after reviewing old
knowledge.
Views on education

9. Confucius’s definition of ‘education’
Confucius believes that other than formal education, students
should also learn to love others and appreciate them,
which we come to know as ‘moral education’.
He rephrased the biblical saying which was ‘Do unto others
as you would have them do unto you’ into ‘Do not do to
others what you would have them not do to you’ (Analects
15:23).

10. Confucius’s definition of ‘education’
According to dictionary.reference.com, the education
system that Confucius devised, confucianism, is defined
as ‘the system of ethics, education and statesmanship
taught by Confucius and his disciples, stressing love
for humanity, ancestor worship, reverence for
parents, and harmony in thought and conduct.’

11. Purpose of education for Confucius
Emphasis on three principles, namely Li, Jen and Chun-Tzu.
Li has several meanings, mostly translated to proprietary,
respect, reverence and courtesy.
Jen is the very core of confucian teaching, it is the virtue of
virtue and benevolence.
It is through Jen that the ‘silver rule’ was made.
Li provides the structure for human interaction, Jen makes
it a moral system.

12. Purpose of education for Confucius
Chun-Tzu is the idea of a true gentleman (familiar?). It means
that one lives on the highest ethical standards possible and
displays ALL of these five virtues: Self-respect, generosity,
sincerity, persistence and benevolence.

13. Relationships
Central to Confucius' teaching are relationships and social roles. There
are five great relationships:
1. Kindness in the father and obedient devotion in the son
2. Gentility in the eldest brother and humility and respect in the
younger
3. Righteous behavior in the husband and obedience in the wife
4. Humane consideration in elders and deference in juniors
5. Benevolence in rulers and loyalty of ministers and subjects
If these attitudes are practised there will be harmony among all.

14. Ethics
Confucian ethics are described as humanistic. This ethical philosophy can be
practiced by all the members of a society. Confucian ethics is characterized by the
promotion of virtues, encompassed by the Five Constants, or the Wuchang (五常),
extrapolated by Confucian scholars during the Han Dynasty.
The Five Constants are:
仁, humaneness
義, righteousness or justice
禮, proper rite
智, knowledge
信, integrity

15. Ethics
These are accompanied by the classical Sìzì (四字), that singles out four virtues, one
of which is included among the Five Constants:
忠, loyalty
孝, filial piety
節, continency
義, righteousness

16. There are still many other elements such as
誠, honesty
恕, kindness and forgiveness
廉, honesty and cleanness
恥, shame, judge and sense of right and wrong
勇, bravery
溫, kind and gentle
良, good, kindhearted
恭, respectful, reverent
儉, frugal
讓, modestly, self-effacing
Ethics

17. Influence
17-century Europe:
The works of Confucius were translated into European languages
through the agency of Jesuit (Society of Jesus) scholars stationed
in China.
Translations of Confucian texts influenced European thinkers of the
period, particularly among the Deists and other philosophical
groups of the Enlightenment who were interested by the
integration of the system of morality of Confucius into
Western civilization.

18. Influence
On Islamic thought:
From the late 17th century onwards a whole body of
literature known as the Han Kitab developed amongst
the Hui Muslims of China who infused Islamic thought
with Confucianism.

19. Influence
In modern times:
Important military and political figures in modern Chinese history
continued to be influenced by Confucianism, like the Muslim
warlord Ma Fuxiang.
The New Life Movement in the early 20th century was also
influenced by Confucianism.

20. Influence
In modern times:
There exists among political scientists and economists a theory that
Confucianism plays a large latent role in the ostensibly non-
Confucian cultures of modern-day East Asia, in the form of the
rigorous work ethic it endowed those cultures with. These
scholars have held that Confucianism is the main reason why
many of the people of the East Asia region have been able to
modernize and industrialize as quickly as Singapore, Malaysia,
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and even China has
done.

21. Relevance to today’s society
Still very much relevant in today’s society
Eighty Confucian centres in the US and more around the world
are funded by the People’s Republic in China.
The society is embracing the ancient philosophy because of the
spirit of openness and reform sweeping through many areas
of Chinese life.
However, it is also due to the nature of Confucian ideas, which
support the continuity of Chinese history, that the Communist
ideology cannot be excluded.

22. Relevance to today’s society
Detrimental to today’s society
The idea of modelling one self after respected elders might
explain why Chinese students have a hard time disagreeing
or questioning their teachers. This could result in a rigid and
narrow way of thinking, which could in turn cause for a lack
of innovation and creative ideas
New ideas are suppressed for more established wisdoms.
An example could be the fact that civil service entrance
exams still contain questions regarding esoteric texts that
have no relevance whatsoever to the job.

23. Quotes
Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds
peace.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is
noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by
experience, which is the bitterest.

24. Quotes
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such
preparation there is sure to be failure.
The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that
would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.

25. Pat Zukeran. Confucius. Retrieved January 18th, 2015 from:
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/confucius.html
Dictionary.com, Define Confucianism at Dictionary.com. Retrieved January 18th,
2015, from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/confucianism?s=t
Wikipedia (2014). Confucianism. Retrieved January 18th, 2015, from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism
The American Scholar, Confucianism in China Today by Paula Marantz Cohen.
Retrieved January 18th, 2015, from: https://theamericanscholar.org/confucianism-
in-china-today/#.VLtA7ltH0UU
Bibliography

26. Bibliography (Photos)
● Gradesaver, Biography of confucius. Retrieved 18th January, 2015 from:
http://www.gradesaver.com/author/confucius
● Glogster, Confucianism. Retrieved 18th January, 2015 from:
http://www.glogster.com/sarahhennessey/confucianism/g-
6mregunldg7vk74nko3rta0
(Background) Pixabay, blurred lights free images. Retrieved 18th January, 2015 from:
http://pixabay.com/en/photos/blurred%20lights/
● Clipartpal, Open Book. Retrieved 18th January 2015 from:
http://www.clipartpal.com/clipart_pd/education/openbook1.html

27. Thank you
Any questions?