The China Project: Materials :Social Change : Confucian Influence on Life in China

Confucian Influence on Life in China

Heping Li, Social Studies Teacher
John Browne High School, Flushing, NY

Focus Question
How Did Confucius Philosophies Shape Chinese Life and Culture?

Objectives
Students will be able to;

identify Confucius', "Four Books", "Five Classics
describe 4 to 6 main ideas of Confucianism
compare differences between Confucianism and Taoism

Materials
textbooks, videotapes of Confucian Temples in Beijing, Map of China, Handout sheet, and a Chinese Calendar

Activities

show Pictures

read textbook

map study

Time: 2 periods

Motivation
Why must students still adhere to strict Confucian principles in China when they go to school?

Development

Examine the concept of Confucianism
1. Confucianism comes mainly from the speeches and writings of Confucius. Mencius made important contributions as well.
2. Discuss the major works of Confucius: "Four Books" and "Five Classics"
  - Confucianism is the standard of human conduct - concerned with how human beings behaved toward each other.
3. The Five Basic relationships of Confucianism
  1. ruler and subjects
  2. father and son
  3. older brother and younger brother
  4. husband and wife
  5. friend and friend
  All, except the last, involve the authority of one person over another.
  - Why do students have to obey their teachers in China?
  - Do women have equal rights with their husbands?
4. Family and Education
  - Confucius emphasized the importance of education. The family life was viewed as a kind of training ground (family is responsible for educating their children)
  - Purpose of education is to turn people into good family members and good subjects of the emperor.
5. The state is an extension of the family
  Q: Why is the integrity of a family so important to a country?

The Importance of Confucianism
1. Confucianism was the official philosophy of China for two thousand years.
2. To become a government official, one must pass the examination of the knowledge of Confucianism, "The Classics"
3. Confucianism became an official philosophy that kept the leaders in power - they were opposed to any changes

The differences between Taoism and Confucianism:
1. Taoists emphasized the link between people and nature. They thought that the best government was the one that had the fewest rules and laws.

Possible Homework/Extension
Have students write about the main differences between the two belief systems. Which one might they emphasize in their life?

Students can write an essay to explain the similarities and differences between Confucianism and Taoism.

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Confucian Influence on Life in China Heping Li, Social Studies Teacher John Browne High School, Flushing, NY Focus Question How Did Confucius Philosophies Shape Chinese Life and Culture? Objectives Students will be able to; identify Confucius', "Four Books", "Five Classics describe 4 to 6 main ideas of Confucianism compare differences between Confucianism and Taoism Materials textbooks, videotapes of Confucian Temples in Beijing, Map of China, Handout sheet, and a Chinese Calendar Activities show Pictures read textbook map study Time: 2 periods Motivation Why must students still adhere to strict Confucian principles in China when they go to school? Development Examine the concept of Confucianism Confucianism comes mainly from the speeches and writings of Confucius. Mencius made important contributions as well. Discuss the major works of Confucius: "Four Books" and "Five Classics" - Confucianism is the standard of human conduct - concerned with how human beings behaved toward each other. The Five Basic relationships of Confucianism ruler and subjects father and son older brother and younger brother husband and wife friend and friend All, except the last, involve the authority of one person over another. Why do students have to obey their teachers in China? Do women have equal rights with their husbands? Family and Education Confucius emphasized the importance of education. The family life was viewed as a kind of training ground (family is responsible for educating their children) Purpose of education is to turn people into good family members and good subjects of the emperor. The state is an extension of the family Q: Why is the integrity of a family so important to a country? The Importance of Confucianism Confucianism was the official philosophy of China for two thousand years. To become a government official, one must pass the examination of the knowledge of Confucianism, "The Classics" Confucianism became an official philosophy that kept the leaders in power - they were opposed to any changes Q: If one wanted to get a job as a government officer in China, he had to pass a very strict literature exam. Why was this a central requirement? The differences between Taoism and Confucianism: Taoists emphasized the link between people and nature. They thought that the best government was the one that had the fewest rules and laws. Q: How did Taoists and Confucius influence Chinese culture in different ways? Possible Homework/Extension Have students write about the main differences between the two belief systems. Which one might they emphasize in their life? Students can write an essay to explain the similarities and differences between Confucianism and Taoism.