The East: Confucianism Taoism Buddhism
The West: Stoicism Epicureanism Christianity
The East: Confucianism Taoism
Buddhism
The West: Stoicism
Epicureanism Christianity
K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucius) was a Chinese scribe born during the Chou dynasty (c. 550 BC.) Teacher and writer, his thoughts and wisdom come down to us primarily in 4 works. Confucius 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." (Confucius)
Confucius 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.
Confucius 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." (Confucius)
There are currently six schools of Confucianism: Han Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, Contemporary Neo-Confucianism, Korean Confucianism, Japanese Confucianism and Singapore Confucianism.
I especially enjoy Confucius as I see major correlations with the major Hellenistic 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 Confucius. 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." (Confucius)
a project of John Trapp
