Confucious Essay, Research Paper
Confucius
Confucius was believed to have been born in 551 BC., in the state of
Lu, known today as the Shandong province. His parents named him Kong
Qui. They died when he was very young. The name Confucius comes from
the Latin word Kongfuzi which means Great Master Kong.
Confucius was the most influential and respected philosopher in
Chinese history. His ideas were the strongest influence on Chinese society
from around 100 BC. to the AD. 1900’s. The Chinese government made his
ideas the official state philosophy and many nearby countries honored his
beliefs. Confucius wanted to gain the position as an adviser to a wise ruler,
but he failed. He hoped to do this in order to be able to employ his ideas for
reforming society. If it wasn’t for the disciples of Confucius his teachings
would have never been spread around China, and he would have never been
made known. His teachings were never written down by him, but his
conversations and sayings were written down by his disciples in the analects.
He came up with the idea of Confucianism which was the single most
important thing in Chinese life. It affected everything in China; education,
government especially.Confucianism is not a religion, but it is more a
philosophy and a guide to morality and good government. At the time
Confucius was born, China was in a constant state of war, and quick political
change changed the structure of Chinese society so much that people no
longer respected the government.
Confucius said that the ideal person was one of good moral character.
The ideal person also respected his father and his ruler. He was expected to
think for himself, guided by definite rules of conduct. Confucius often said,
“as much trouble to discover what was right as lesser men take to discover
what will pay”. Confucius believed that this type of behavior by rulers had a
greater effect on the people than did laws or codes of punishment. So when
these types of people were rulers, their moral example would inspire the
people to lead good lives. Confucius died sometime around 479 B.C., and his
philosophy was not very well known. If it weren’t for his disciples his ideas
would probably still be unknown.