Confucianism originated in China in the 6th-5th century BCE through the teachings of Confucius. It emphasizes learning, ethics, and virtue as a way to achieve social-political stability. Some key Confucian concepts include filial piety, proper social behavior and etiquette, and achieving balance in all things according to complementary forces like yin and yang.

1. spiritual philosophy
social ethic
political ideology
scholarly tradition
CONFUCIANISM

2. ORIGINS DEVELOPMENT
 Began in China
around sixth to
fifth century BCE by
Confucius.
 Has been followed
by the people of
China for over two
millennia.

3. ORIGINS &
DEVELOPMENT
 A major part of the belief system is its
emphasis on learning and as a source of
values.
 Confucius lived in a time of political violence,
so the stage was set for a teacher to emerge
with a philosophy promoting social and ethical
calm and who saw perfection in all people.

4. EDUCATION
 Believed everyone
could benefit from
self-education and
worked to open doors
of education to
everyone.
 Defined learning as
not only the
acquisition of
knowledge but also
the building of
character.

5. FILIAL OBLIGATION
 A major thrust of
Confucius’s
teaching was filial
piety or the virtue
of devotion to
one’s parents.
 He considered it
the foundation of
virtue and the root
of human
character.

6. TEACHINGS
 Proper etiquette and
social behavior were
considered essential
to right living
 A set of ethics is
contained in the
ANALECTS, a
collection of moral
and social teachings
which amount to a
code of human
conduct.

7. JEN: The vision of
 Love, goodness, and
human-heartedness
 Moral achievement
and excellence in
character
 Loyalty to one’s true
nature
 Righteousness
 Filial Piety
 ALL THIS = VIRTUE

8. CONFUCIUS & KARMA
 Buddhism sees karma
as a force in human
progress related to
good and bad ethics.
 Confucius saw karma
as destiny.
 A person should
choose what to do in a
single-minded manner
without considering
outcomes.

9. CONFUCIUS & LOYALTY
 How do you induce
people to be loyal?
 “Approach them with
dignity, and they will
respect you. Show
piety towards your
parents and kindness
toward your children,
and they will be loyal to
you. Promote those
who are worthy, train
those who are
incomopetent, that is
the best form of
encouragement.”

10. YIN & YANG
 Complementary forces
that make up all
aspects of life.
 Yin is female, earth,
dark, passive &
absorbing.
 Yang is male, heaven,
light, active &
penetrating.
 The symbol shows the
harmony of the two.