Confucianism reading questions:

BIG THOUGHT QUESTION: How were the Hundred Schools of Ancient Philosophy a debate over the nature of human beings, society and the universe?

Read pp. 73-74 in the text to Confucianism. Then read the document "The Confucian View of Life" through “The rules of good behavior, Li”

Terms:

Meng Tzu

Confucius

Analects

Doctrine of the Mean

The Great Learning

Mencius

Tao, the way (DAO)

Chun Tzu

Early Beliefs

1.How did the early religious beliefs evolve in ancient China? What roles did Heaven (T’ien) and yang and yin play.

“Confucian View of Life” packet

2. Who is Confucius? How is his thinking more of a practical approach to life than a religious one?

3. What is "heaven" or t'ien? What are its qualities?

4. What is the confucian view of human nature?

5. What role does the way, or Tao (Dao) play in Confucian thinking?

6. Why is Jen seen to be the greatest of virtues?

7. What is filial piety? Why is it so important? List the Five Relationships:

8. How does the concept of Li compare to the concept of Jen?