Review: Zhou defeats Shang, mandate of heaven
Zhou DynastySoft states (Borders not clear. No clear or strict
form of taxation)First among equalsHereditary aristocracyWang
(King), zu (lineage), and fengjian (feudalism)Feudalism: Statelets.
Ritual of EnfeoffmentSocial structure w/in the stateletsState
breakdown: Rivalries, warfare, and competitionWarefare and/as
ritualInequalities & Competition between and w/in
stateletsSpring and Autumn 770-481BCEThe Iron Age: in agriculture
and warfareNew forms of warfare: infantry (7th c. BCE)Cavalry (4rd
c. BCE)Story of Double EarsWarring States 480-221 BCENew states,
new ideas, wandering ministersAristocracy vs
MeritocracyPeasant/Soldier subjects (remember this one)
Confucius born into the Spring and Autumn period, about 300
years of warfare during this period, some statelets are becoming
more powerful and absorbing others that they conquer the Zhou state
is still the most powerful ritual was very important here, elite
fighting the elite
Story of Double Ears Duke of Shen who had many concubines,
favorite concubine was the wife of his father. Cant marry her, but
names her son 1, his heir Dukes first wife, Lady Li, and her son 2,
was not the heir. His third son (double ears), half chinese and
half rong, not favored by Duke Shen, and is exiled to Jin Lady Li
spreads a rumor that the Son 1 is trying to poison the Duke, he
commits suicide because he cant go against her Son 2 and 3 flee Jin
When Duke Shen dies, the minister kills the remaining sons and
takes over it themselves. Double ears comes back and fights the
ministers and takes back the state Then fights the rival state and
wins Far more powerful than the center state Jo. Jo king names
double ears his lord protector.
Number of states dwindled from a few thousand to a couple states
after Confucius death
Confucius one of the wandering ministers of his age wandering
around looking for a ministerial position came from the lowest
ranking level of ministers, hereditary in the Jo dynasty statelet,
social order, King -> duke -> minister -> shi (trained in
military and sacrificial rights) -> peasants -> slaves six
skills of shi in order of priority: propriety of conduct, music,
archery, chariot driving, writing, arithmetic
Duke lives on tributeMinisters on estatesShi on landPeasants on
toil
The Duke of Jo was the most important/perfect minister ancestor
of Confucius
Text Sources: 5 classics: Books of Songs, History, Rites,
Changes and Spring & Autumn AnnalsZuo ZhuanConfucius: An able
minister in search of a stateThe Gentleman: Duke of Zhou as
modelLi: Ritual, the RitesDao: the WayDe: Power of Virtue,
morality, charismaRen: Humanity, benevolenceXiao: Filial PietyThe 5
relationshipsPrince: MinisterHusband: WifeParent: ChildElder
(brother): Younger (brother)Friend: FriendReciprocity: benevolence
for loyaltyThese relationships also work metaphoricallyHow do these
relationships interpose/interact w/ each other?Some concepts to
keep in mindRitual vs Law (punishment)Rectification of
NamesRemonstrationFilial pietyMozi: the debates beginPacifism,
Impartial Caring, Utility
Confucius only knows about one Way, one Dao, doesnt talk about
other cultures and other ritualsNever talks about the nature of man
as good or evilMencius and Xunzi are the next great Confucius
thinkers
Mozi (470-291 BCE)The debate begins!
Who was Mozi and what did his school look like?Form of writing:
Logical argumentation
Main ideas: Pacifism, Impartial Caring, Utility
A hundred flowers bloom, a hundred schools of thought
contend
