Lecture 2.2 Religion and Ethics in Classical China

Chapter 2

AP* Sixth Edition

World CivilizationsThe Global Experience

World CivilizationsThe Global Experience

Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2004 by Pearson Education, Inc.All rights reserved.

World Civilizations: The Global Experience, AP* Sixth EditionStearns • Adas • Schwartz • Gilbert

Lecture 2.2 Religion Lecture 2.2 Religion and Ethics in and Ethics in Classical ChinaClassical China



The Stress Between Continuity and Change

• Continuity- the preservation of order- conserving values and traditions

• Change- innovation and reform- challenging existing order

• Each of these forces operate in creating history

• Governments are largely conservative forces preserving social order- especially after they are established

• The Mandate of Heaven exemplifies the struggle between continuity and change



Religion in Classical China

• China really never developed a clear prevailing religion– Little speculation about God– God(s) as a general but not a set specific

belief

• Unlike other cultures, schools of philosophy rather than religious faiths would serve government and preserve order



Confucianism

Confucius (Western name for Kong Fuzi)–Lived in a time of political decline- Late Zhou

Dynasty (551-478 BC)

• The impact of historical context on Confucius’ teachings

Outlined the characteristics of good government and social order

The value of wisdom for leaders at all levels Moderate behavior Respect for ritual and traditions



Confucianism and Chinese Culture

• God and society in Confucianism– Acknowledgment of a divine order without any

specific concept of God

– Confucianism outlined a secular system of ethics

– True happiness in doing good for all- humility and kindness- gentility

• Sayings captured in collected sayings The Analects– Collected by his students (like Socrates)



Confucian Order through Respect for Relationships

• Order came from the respect of relationships and hierarchies (statuses)– Dominant and subordinate– Government and governed– Husband and wife– Father and son– Filial Piety- faithfulness to one’s role and

proper respect to supereriors



Religion and Culture

Legalism– Favored a strong state, ruling through force– Belief that human nature was basically evil– In opposition to Confucianism in many ways

Yet the two often combined in exercise of power Practical- and pragmatic Distain for ritual and tradition proper manners

– Order maintained through force– Governing philosophy of the Qin and early Han dynasty

Qin emperor Shi Huangdi boosted of murdering thousands of Confucian scholars and burning texts

Modern communist leader Mao claimed to have outdone this emperor in persecuting Confuciuanism.



Religion and Culture

Popular religion– Confucianism has limited appeal- mainly to

governing class – Polytheism persists

Conciliation of spirits Family ceremonies



Religion and Culture Daoism

Laozi (400s B.C.E.)– Philosopher- during period of warring states– Retreat from society- more spiritual than

Confucianism– State cannot solve all problems– Natural and mysterious rat

Dao, cosmic force- The way- sublime “Those who know Dao can not speak it and those who speak Dao

don’t know it” Balance between strong and weak, dark and light yin and yang

– Meditation– Many Chinese were Confucian by day and Daoist by

night by night



Economy and Society

Gender and Family Life– Great emphasis on authority– Parental authority especially upheld– Women subordinate to men



How Chinese Society Fits Together

Isolation– View of surrounding peoples as inferior– No missionary desires– Buddhism an exception



How Chinese Society Fits Together

Complexities in Classical China– Confucianism versus Daoism

Many points of overlap But some antagonism

– Balance often upset Overpopulation might lead to uprisings

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Lecture 2.2 Religion and Ethics in Classical China