The Agora: Dedicated to Ancient Ideals
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K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucious) was a Chinese scribe born duing the Chou dynasty (c. 550 BC.) Teacher and writer, his thoughts and wisdom come down to us primarily in 4 works. Confucious laid down a system of ethical and social values rather than a religion, his value system can be termed secular humanist in nature.
"Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous." (Confucious)
Confucious taught five major values:
Li: includes ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc.
Hsiao: love within the family: love of parents for their children and of children for their parents
Yi: righteousness
Xin: honesty and trustworthiness
Jen: benevolence, humaneness towards others
Chung: loyalty to the state, etc.
Confucious placed greatest importance upon benevolence (jen) and ritual (li); going so far as to place them above social roles.
"Riches and honors are what men desire. If
they cannot be obtained in the proper way, they should not be held. Poverty
and meanness are what men dislike. If they cannot be avoided in the proper
way, they should not be avoided." (Confucious)
There are currently six schools of confucianism: Han Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, Contemporary Neo-Confucianism, Korean Confucianism, Japanese Confucianism and Singapore Confucianism. This site may eventually delve into Neo-Confucianism especially on the criticism page.
I especially enjoy Confucious as I see major correlations with the major Hellinistic Philosophies (Stoicism and Epicureanism)--especially interesting is the comparisons between Epicurus and Mencius.
All of Chinese philosophy and religion (Taoism, Buddhism, etc...) is grounded in these early teachings of Confucious. The primary texts are below, or skip to the Catholic Encyclopedia 1914 edition entry.
Primary Sources
"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." (Confucious)
Most of the texts contained on this site are public domain. Site layout, all original content, created by John Trapp ©2001