Confucius and Confucianism Philosophy of Human Person

Confucius, transliterated Kong Fu Zi or K'ung-fu-tzu or

frequently referred to as Kong. He was a Chinese born BC in
the city of Qufu, located in the Chinese State of Lu, now part
of present-day Shandong Province. - Confucius was believed
to have been conceived out of wedlock. His father was
seventy and his mother only fifteen when he was bom. His
father died when he was three and he was brought up in
poverty by his mother.
For most of his life, Confucius traveled from state to state
getting government jobs and teaching his disciples. He was
one time a Justice Minister in the State of Lu, but resigned
after several years because he disapproved of the politics of
his king.
Confucius lived to be quite old, he died at the age 72 in
479BC.
The life history of Confucius is regarded as legendary, but
the story of his life lends it credibility. Confucius thoughts
have been leveloped into a system of philosophy as
Confucianism. His teachings were embodied in Analecto of
Confucius, Classic of Rites and Spring and Autumn Animals.

Confucius, also known as Kong Fu Zi or Kong, was a Chinese philosopher born in

the city of Qufu, in the Chinese State of Lu, which is now part of Shandong
Province. He was believed to have been born out of wedlock, and his father
passed away when he was three years old. Despite growing up in poverty, he was
raised by his mother.

Throughout his life, Confucius traveled to different states, taking on government

jobs and teaching his disciples. He even served as a Justice Minister in the State of
Lu for a period of time, but resigned due to disagreements with the politics of his
king.

Confucius lived a long life and passed away at the age of 72 in 479 BC. While the
details of his life may be legendary, the story of his life adds credibility to his
teachings. His thoughts and teachings have been developed into a philosophical
system known as Confucianism. Some of his teachings are found in the Analects of
Confucius, the Classic of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals.

The Teachings of Confucianism

Confucius did not put into writing his philosophical ideas on man, his philosophies were
handed down only through his disciples. Here is a summary of his teachings:

1. The family is the basis for an ideal

government.
2. Being an ideal government, there
should be a strong solidarity among
the family members.
3. Children should respect their
elders, living or dead.
4. Husbands should respect their
wives.
5. Politicians and rulers should be
good models of the citizens. "What the
superior man seeks is in himself what
to man seeks in others". Likewise,
Confucius stated:
"If right principle prevailed through the
empire, there would be no need for me
to change its state" (Analecto XVIII, 6).
 They should lead exemplary lives and
be guided with moral principles.
6. Human nature is essentially good.
Man can become honest and
trustworthy and humane towards
others.
7. "Do not do to others what you do
not want others done to yourself? - The
Golden Rule.
8. All men should observe carefully
their duties toward the State.
9. Every man must possessed five (5)
virtues: kindness, uprightness,
decorum, wisdom, and faithfulness….
ANSWER::: explanation…

Confucius did not personally write down

his philosophical ideas, but they were
passed down through his disciples. Here
is a summary of his teachings:

1. The family is the foundation for an

ideal government. This means that a
strong and harmonious family structure
is essential for a well-functioning
society.

2. Within an ideal government, there

should be a strong sense of unity and
solidarity among family members. This
promotes stability and cooperation
within society.

3. Children should show respect to their

elders, both living and deceased. This
reflects the importance of filial piety and
honoring one's ancestors.

4. Husbands should respect their wives.

Confucius emphasized the importance of
mutual respect and harmony within the
family unit.

5. Politicians and rulers should serve as

positive role models for the citizens.
They should lead by example and uphold
moral principles. Confucius believed that
if the rulers themselves embody virtuous
qualities, it would positively influence
the entire society.

6. Confucius believed that human nature

is inherently good. He believed that
through self-cultivation and moral
development, individuals can become
honest, trustworthy, and compassionate
towards others.

7. Confucius advocated for the Golden

Rule: "Do not do to others what you do
not want others done to yourself." This
principle encourages empathy and
treating others with kindness and
respect.

8. All individuals should fulfill their

duties towards the state. This means
being responsible citizens and actively
contributing to the welfare and
prosperity of the society they belong to.
9. Confucius identified five key virtues
that every person should strive to
possess: kindness, uprightness,
decorum, wisdom, and faithfulness.
These virtues are seen as essential
qualities for leading a virtuous and
fulfilling life.

These teachings of Confucius emphasize

the importance of family, respect, moral
leadership, and personal growth for a
harmonious and prosperous society.

lao tzu is the author of

tau teaching the main
text of taoist thought,
 he is considered as
the father of taoism a
philosophy that
advocates living a
simple life

La0-Ten and Thoism

The promoters of the school of Tao are Lao-Tzu,
who can be considered as the Father of Taoism
and his eminent follower, Chuong-Tzu. These
were the two scholars who dedicated their lives
to balancing their inner spirits.

Lao-Tzu, sometimes spelled as Lao-Tzu, Lao-Tsu,

Laozi, Laotze, was searching for a way that would
avoid the constant feudal warfare and other
conflicts that disrupted society during his
lifetime. Lao-Tau was not his real name but an
honorific name given to him, the meaning of
which is "old venerable master"

The specific date of birth of Lao-Tzu is unknown

but legends say that scholars place his birth
between 600 and 300 BC in China. He held a
number of public offices such as a curator of the
royal library in Loyang. As an old man, he retired
from government service and traveled on buffalo -
back to region of the Gabi desert.

Some years befgre, when Lao-Tzu was still a

keeper or curator of a library in the capital city, a
young man Confucius nervously walked towards
the great scholar Lao-Tau, the most respected
thinker of his day. Confucius spoke about his duty
to make the lives of the people much better. Lao-
Tzu, with humility answered: "Just like
mosquitoes reill keep you make all night, this talk
about duty to your fellowmen drives me crazy.
Don't worry ahout it. just try to keep your world
as simple as possible. Remember - just like the
wind blowes whenever and wherever it wants to,
good times will come and sometime, and
somewhere, Be matunal. Go with the wind"
La0-Ten and Thoism
The promoters of the school of Tao are
Lao-Tzu, who can be considered as the
Father of Taoism and his eminent
follower, Chuong-Tzu. These were the
two scholars who dedicated their lives
to balancing their inner spirits.

Lao-Tzu, sometimes spelled as Lao-

Tzu, Lao-Tsu, Laozi, Laotze, was
searching for a way that would avoid
the constant feudal warfare and other
conflicts that disrupted society during
his lifetime. Lao-Tau was not his real
name but an honorific name given to
him, the meaning of which is "old
venerable master"
The specific date of birth of Lao-Tzu is
unknown but legends say that scholars
place his birth between 600 and 300
BC in China. He held a number of
public offices such as a curator of the
royal library in Loyang. As an old man,
he retired from government service
and traveled on buffalo - back to region
of the Gabi desert.

Some years befgre, when Lao-Tzu was

still a keeper or curator of a library in
the capital city, a young man
Confucius nervously walked towards
the great scholar Lao-Tau, the most
respected thinker of his day. Confucius
spoke about his duty to make the lives
of the people much better. Lao-Tzu,
with humility answered: "Just like
mosquitoes reill keep you make all
night, this talk about duty to your
fellowmen drives me crazy. Don't worry
ahout it. just try to keep your world as
simple as possible. Remember - just
 like the wind blowes whenever and
wherever it wants to, good times will
come and sometime, and somewhere,
Be matunal. Go with the wind" explain
each sentence correctly

technique for achieving

immortality:

- Dietary regimens: These involve

following specific diets or eating
practices believed to promote longevity
and health. Different cultures and
traditions have their own dietary regimens
for achieving immortality.

- Breath control and meditation: This

technique focuses on controlling and
regulating one's breath and practicing
meditation to achieve a state of calmness
and inner peace. It is believed that
through these practices, one can attain
spiritual enlightenment and potentially
extend their lifespan.

- Sexual discipline: Some belief systems

suggest that practicing sexual discipline,
such as celibacy or moderation, can lead
to increased vitality and longevity. By
redirecting sexual energy towards
spiritual growth, it is thought that one can
achieve immortality.

- Alchemy: Alchemy is an ancient practice

that involves the transformation of
substances, including the human body, to
achieve immortality. It encompasses both
physical and spiritual aspects, aiming to
purify and refine the body and soul.

- Use of magical talismans: Talismans are

objects believed to possess magical or
protective powers. Some cultures believe
that wearing or carrying specific
talismans can ward off illness, aging, and
death, thus leading to immortality.

- Search for the fabled Isle of Bliss: In

mythology and folklore, there are tales of
a mythical place, such as the Isle of Bliss,
where immortality can be found. The
pursuit of this fabled location represents
the quest for eternal life and the longing
for a paradise free from suffering and
death.