Confucius (551–479 BCE)

Confucius is regarded as the most influential philosopher and educator in Chinese history. He largely shaped [Page 407]Chinese civilization and molded its moral beliefs. Confucius is best known for founding the Ru (Confucian) school of Chinese thought, which grew into one of the traditional religions, competing and coexisting with Taoism and Buddhism in Chinese civilization.

He was born into a declining noble family in the state of Lu, in modern Shandong province. His family name was Kong and first name Qiu. He has been traditionally honored as Grand Master Kong (Kong Fuzi in Mandarin Chinese), which has been Latinized as Confucius.

Confucius was about 3 years old when his father died. His mother was determined to provide him with a first-class education; as a result, he was well trained in the classics of Chinese literature, history, poetry, and music. As a young boy, fishing, chariot driving, and archery were among his favorite amusements. At the age of 15, Confucius aspired to be a scholar and teacher. He fulfilled this vocational dream in education at the age of 22. Using his own house as a school, he started to teach history, poetry, government, morality, and music to a few students. He often engaged his students in sustained Socratic exchanges. Passionate and inspiring, he soon attracted some 2,000 gentlemenscholars around him, many of whom followed him religiously. It was from then on that a Chinese literati class was developed.

Believing in the cultivating effect of education on an individual, Confucius emphasized character development, instead of vocational preparation, in his teaching. Although he upheld the innate goodness of humanity, Confucius also recognized corrupt social influences. In light of this, Confucius distinguished between two types of individuals: gentlemen whose conduct is governed by moral principles and small men whose character is driven by profit. Education, based on sound moral principles, Confucius maintained, can restore and strengthen the virtuousness in us.

Confucius ultimately promoted a society of harmony and order built on virtues. He asserted that the moral basis of social bonds derived from an individual's social station. He delineated five relations of mutual moral responsibility: ruler and minister, father and son, elder brother and younger brother, husband and wife, and one friend and another. For instance, in an emperor-minister relationship, he deemed it proper for an emperor to treat the minister with benevolence, while the minister deferred to the emperor with noble reverence and loyalty. Among the many virtues he advocated, filial piety and brotherly respect remain the two fundamental moral traits that one should possess.

In addition to teaching, Confucius also pursued politics. One legend has it that Confucius was once appointed Minister of Public Works and later Minister of Crime in the state of Lu. He governed by good example rather than coercion. As a result, during his reign, the crime rate substantially dropped and society was peaceful. However, he was later forced out of his position by his enemies. Although he took some minor government posts later, he never again held a significant position.

In terms of his works, Confucius is said to have edited books such as The Book of Songs and Spring and Autumn Annals. Although there are controversies about which books he wrote or edited, Analects is generally considered the most authentic source of his teachings.

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