Confucianism is a philosophy of a life style that is centered around kindness and respecting others. It was developed in China by Master Kong who was eventually given the name of Confucius by missionaries. Before he was born the basic ideas of his philosophy of respect were developed during the Zhou Dynasty. This previous version emphasized on spirituality, whereas Confucius’s updated version focused more on how to treat others individually in day to day life.. To this day, Confucianism is still the most prevalent life style in China. Although Confucianism has brought stability to past societies long ago, it would have negative affect overall if applied on a wide scale to our modern world because it is so complex and quickly altered.
During the reign of the Zhao Dynasty China was in political disarray and chaos. The seven states Han, Wu, Zhao, Chu, Qi, Yan and Jin were all at war in 475–221 BC. War caused their society to reflect on their own values. After Confucius’s new philosophy started to spread and became rule, social and politically stability was reached. The people viewed this new lifestyle as the best way of going about governing their lives for better of all. Confucius gained many followers and disciples who went on to expand on his work. An impact that Confucianism has had on Chinas society is education. Confucius lived through a period of his life where there was no education in place whatsoever, and only the rich and privileged got the opportunity to learn. So he decided to start educating his people on his own teaching them of the importance arts and works of literature from their era. Meaning for the first time in their culture despite privilege and class anyone could acquire knowledge and elevate their status. This idea seems very similar to how we here in America have a lot of opportunities for people to pursue their aspirations through education. During the reign of the Han Dynasty (206 bce–220 ce) education and governing became intertwined. Their government conducted mass testing of their populous to determine how qualified they were for what type of civil service. The idea was that those who were the most qualified had a responsibility to use their smarts to help the better of all. Studying in that time evolved into upholding your family values and respect, rather than for your own personal gain. We see that these values have remained prevalent in their society up to this day. In fact, according to academicwriting.org kids today in China go through the most rigorous education system in the world. The average Chinese student is about 2 grade levels ahead in math compared to an elite privet school student in the USA. Children from a young age also have to take a placement exam to be admitted to every school they will ever attend. Confucianism has definitely affected Chinse politics in the past. Part of his reasoning for creating his philosophy was to dissolve the large amount of political unrest occurring in his time. Confucius thought that most of the source of large scale societal problems stemmed from individualistic problems. In order to actually hold a government position it was required that you were deeply versed and knowledgeable of Confucians principles. One of the main values Confucianists have is to act within your role and to respect your father and elders within the hierarchy of your family. This applied to politics in the way that the people in their country at that time looked at the government as a father like overseer. They ultimately believed that their emperor and leaders knew better and it was in everyone’s best interest to fall in line and obey for the sake of the peace of all. Socially what Confucius during his time in promoted was all about the dynamic of family relationships. Confucius seemed to believe that many of the problems that occur with adults root from their childhoods. The father job was to be an outstanding moral compass and leader of the family. Being granted this title also means that he has ultimate say, and that the family will follow and respect his values. To disobey your father meant to dishonor the legacy of the family he built, and to disrupt the structure that gave their society stability. Also the father was deemed superior to the mother in the family setting. In their eyes males were the only ones capable of truly carrying on the family name because they were the only ones who would eventually take on the role of the father. Although there are some good take aways on how to treat others in Confucianism, it’s obvious to me that no modern society would or could accept this lifestyle as its presented in its raw form. Socially the different levels of subservience presented would never fly with equal rights movements like feminism or any group that has been oppressed in recent time. I would also argue that an over emphasis on knowing only what your family and father knows, would actually prevent progression. If no one ever challenges your thoughts and beliefs the window for you to mold your ideas and innovate for potentially a new perspective closes quickly. In my estimation a modern society would be in peril if they followed Confucianism in its original form. As it comes societal structures like economics, the moral right choice may not be the most beneficial for your economy. When it comes down to it, raw Confucianism doesn’t have the practical laws to govern a modern country that needs things in place like trade and commerce laws and a military or law enforcement.
Confucianism does address spiritualty but it is not the primary focus of the religion like many others we know today. Conficianists believe that spirituality can only be achieved after all others aspects of your life are up to par and pure. This can be emphasized through Confucius’s quote “ If you don’t know how to live as a person, how can you serve the spirit?”. Typical out of world Powerful with control entities like the Christian God etc. are not addressed. Confucian spirituality is mainly about maintaining the balance of people and their environment they live in. You keep this balance by respecting the spirits of your ancestors and carry on their traditions and protecting the families honor. This does seem and is noble if the traditions you are upholding are morally sound. But in a modern world where many of our ancestors were savages and racist, upholding all of their traditions out of respect would regress the progress in human rights we’ve made in the last century.
Buddhism and Confucianism have more differences than one may assume. The goal of Buddhism is about an individual achieving enlightenment and the goal of Confucianism is to create order and structure for society as a whole. Life after death for Confucius is to be worshipped by your decedents. While life after death for Buddhists is to escape the cycle of life and to reach nirvana. The basic purpose of Buddhism is to enlighten one self and transcend beyond into your awakened peaceful state. Whereas the purpose of Confucianism is to respect those who are superior to you because you don’t know any better because it will bring stability. Most people following Confucianism believe in one God or entity where Buddhists believe there is no one entity ruling, but that all is one. Confucianists principles are all about family and brotherhood. Buddhism is built on the idea that to live is to suffer, but you can dispel this suffering through letting go of your cravings. All in all, their values differ in the way that Confucianism stems from attempting to bring stability to your community, while Buddhism
is rooted in bringing stability to one’s own mind.
Confucianism came from a harsh time of history where at the time it was the solution to those people’s problems. In its raw form it was a philosophy that affected every aspect of your life. You were to listen to your elders without question, and to disobey was to dishonor. Although there are morally sound tidbits and helpful advice about interpersonal relationships, a lot of the instruction involves playing your role. The modern world doesn’t need these roles to live in peace, and applying these rules without editing Confucianism majorly would result in the turmoil of a group of people.