REL 1510 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Taoism, Filial Piety, Analects
Document Summary
Taoism - development of individual, private self - how to achieve inner peace and longevity. The entire teaching of confucius was practical and ethical, rather than religious. Concerned with the principles of good conduct, practical wisdom, and proper social relationships. During the age of chinese feudalism, corruption is politics, confucius taught principles that embraced high ethical and moral standards. He urged the feudal leaders to live by those standards and serve as examples to their subjects. His teachings about ethics and the role of individuals in society form the 12-volume lunyu (the analects). Respect for tradition and for elders underlies much of confucius"s instruction. His work defined chinese culture for more than 2,000 years. Characteristics of confucianism: confucianism is often characterized as a system of social and ethical philosophy rather than a religion. Nor did confucius himself ever claim divinity: confucius interested in the here and now - social sphere of life, said very little about the supernatural.
