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It is questions and answers . Uploaded the questions and reading materials.Confucianism HUM 2633 Jennifer McMahon Confucianism Confucianism originated in China during the Qin Period (2300-200 B.C.). It remains most influential there, but is also influential among communities of Chinese in other countries. Though it draws heavily from pre-existing Chinese religions prevalent during the Qin period, it is named for (and is most closely associated with) its founder, Confucius, or Kongzi (551-479 B.C.). Jennifer McMahon 1 History and Range of Influence While Confucianism is not as widely practiced as certain other religions, it is historically significant and remains a highly influential faith system, including it being a significant catalyst to the development of Taoism in China. Jennifer McMahon 2 Population As is the case with Buddhism and Taoism, it is difficult to get exact numbers on the number of individuals who adhere to Confucian principles. It is difficult because Confucianism does not demand exclusivity from its practitioners. Therefore, a high number of individuals who practice it also identify as Taoist or Buddhist. There are at least 6 million practitioners of Confucianism, but millions, indeed billions, are influenced by Confucian ideology and adhere to Confucian principles. 3 Jennifer McMahon Philosophy OR Faith? A False Dichotomy Though some argue that Confucianism is better understood as a political philosophy as opposed to a religion, those familiar with the tradition recognize its ongoing and broader function as a faith system. While its political ideology was a dominant force in China for centuries, and it remains an influential force there despite governmental restrictions on religious activity, Confucian social and political philosophy (e.g., the understanding of the proper relations between individuals and corresponding standards for government) is predicated on Confucian metaphysics, namely, its understanding of the cosmos and humans place in it. 4 Jennifer McMahon Confucian Cosmology On the basis of its cosmology (which extends beyond Earth) and its conception of human nature, Confucianism prescribes standards for good conduct (ethics), and does so on the assumption that adherence to said standards will not only produce the ends of happiness for the individual and peace for society (eschatology), but other potential rewards (soteriology). Jennifer McMahon 5 The Three Teachings Confucianism was one of the most influential ideologies that shaped Chinese culture, and it remains one of the most influential religious ideologies in China. It is revered as one of the Three Teachings (sanjiao), namely, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. See illustration of LaoTzu, The Buddha, and Confucius. Image Credit: © Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institute. Jennifer McMahon 6 Even though Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are now seen as compatible teachings (aggregate), just as Buddhism was an ideological reaction to Hinduism, Taoism is in many respects an ideolog1 HUM 2633: Confucianism Notes (McMahon) Confucianism originated in China during the Qin Period (2300-200 B.C.). It remains most influential there, but is also influential among communities of Chinese in other countries. Though it draws heavily from pre-existing Chinese religions prevalent during the Qin period, it is named for (and is most closely associated with) its founder, Confucius, or Kongzi (551- 479 B.C.). While Confucianism is not as widely practiced as certain other religions, it is historically significant and remains a highly influential faith system, including it being a significant catalyst to the development of Taoism in China. As is the case with Buddhism and Taoism, it is difficult to get exact numbers on the number of individuals who adhere to Confucian principles. It is difficult because Confucianism does not demand exclusivity from its practitioners. Therefore, a high number of individuals who practice it also identify as Taoist or Buddhist. There are at least 6 million practitioners of Confucianism, but millions, indeed billions, are influenced by Confucian ideology and adhere to Confucian principles. Though some argue that Confucianism is better understood as a political philosophy as opposed to a religion, those familiar with the tradition recognize its ongoing and broader function as a faith system. While its political ideology was a dominant force in China for centuries, and it remains an influential force there despite governmental restrictions on religious activity, Confucian social and political philosophy (e.g., the understanding of the proper relations between individuals and corresponding standards for government) is predicated on Confucian metaphysics, namely, its understanding of the cosmos and humans place in it. Moreover, on the basis of its cosmology (which extends beyond Earth) and its conception of human nature, Confucianism prescribes standards for good conduct (ethics), and does so on the assumption that adherence to said standards will not only produce the ends of happiness for the individual and peace for society (eschatology), but other potential rewards (soteriology). Confucianism was one of the most influential ideologies that shaped Chinese culture, and it remains one of the most influential religious ideologies in China. It is revered as one of the Three Teachings (sanjiao), namely, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Interestingly, even though Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism are now seen as compatible teachings (aggregate), just as Buddhism was an ideological reaction to Hinduism, Taoism is in many respects an ideological reaction to Confucian philosophy. It emerged out of the desire for “reform” to the ritualism and strict enforcement of authoritarian norms that Confucianism encouraged. See (left) illustration of LaoTzu, The Buddha, and Confucius. Image Credit: © Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institute. 2 The primary text of ConfucHUM 2633: Analects Reading Assignment: Source is located at: http://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/analects.1.1.html These questions will help direct students to the most salient elements in the assignment. Because the text is lengthy, for ease of operations I am only assigning reading questions for Section 1 of the Analects. Students are encouraged to read the remaining three sections of the text (see http://classics.mit.edu/Confucius/analects.html). Summaries of these sections can be completed for extra credit and students are welcome to reference the text in its entirety in their papers. Students should review the questions carefully before they attempt the reading and keep them out while completing the reading. The questions proceed in order with the text. Students should complete question sets using this document. Use the SAVE AS command and rename to mark the file as yours (LASTNAMEHUM2633AnalectsQuestions) before submission. Insert answers in spaces after questions. Students should try to answer each question in their own words. They should also locate and include a passage from the text that substantiates their answer. Primary texts are hard reading, and one only gets better at it with practice. It is important to push yourself and work at it. You DO NOT need to understand all of it, even half of it!!!!! I don’t expect that. If you get 10\% initially that’s normal. You are not alone. Stick with it! We are just trying to see how the main theories and concepts we discussed are expressed in the original texts of the tradition. Nothing improves your reading comprehension like reading difficult material and as you acclimate to the different style and vocabulary, you will find it gets easier. ☺ Reading #7: Confucius, Analects (Section 1) Part I: 1. What does the text suggest is the root of benevolence? 2. What things are identified as two first principles? 3. What is filial piety (and give a passage that reflects the text’s concern with it)? 4. Should following the standards of filial piety appear forced? 5. What things can bring shame upon a person? Part 2: 6. Why is a good leader likened to the North Star? 7. It is asserted that the teachings of the Book of Poetry can be summed up in one phrase. What is it? 8. Does the text suggest it is adequate to simply have individuals conform to laws because they want to avoid punishment? 9. At what age does the text seem to suggest it is easier to embody goodness (ren)? 10. When it comes from filial piety what distinguishes the obedience of a good horse from a good child? 11. What shows our goodness and obedience to principles, what we say or what we do? 12. What is true of the superior person? 13. What is true of learning without thought and thought without learning? 14. What does admitting ignorance have to do with knowledge? 15. What does the following passage mean and how might we relate it to contemporary issues? “Advanc