Main Concepts of

Confucianism

Jen (Wren)

Goodness

A man of jen will sacrifice his life to preserve it

Li

Principle of order

Need a well ordered society for jen to be

possible

Main concepts:

Speak honestly (make sure your words have their

true meaning)

Proper action is between the extremes

The five relationships

Respect for age

Yi

The moral disposition to do good

The ability to recognize what is right and what is

wrong

Some actions should be done just because they

are right- regardless of the outcome

The value of the act is the rightness of it,

regardless of the intention or the outcome

Hsiao (showe)

Filial piety

Respect parents because they are the source of

life

One should do well to bring honor to the family

Chih (Chee)

Moral wisdom

We need knowledge to understand what options

we have

Chun-tzu (choondzuh)

The ideal man is a gentle man

He is at the disposal of others and above

personal ambition

Intelligent

Personal relationships come before all else

He has the 5 virtues (kindness, rectitude,

decorum, wisdom and sincerity)

Te (day)

The power by which men are ruled

Government is good if it: is economically stable,

can defend itself, has the support of the people