The Analects of Confucius

How do the Analects embody the ethical framework of Confucian thought?

Aim

How does a knowledge of mainstream Chinese thought help young people develop an ethical sense and apply it to real life situations?

Student Performance Objectives

• to explain the "Five Relationships" of Confucius

Teacher Background

This need for social stability in China motivated a teacher named Confucius in 550 B. C. to call upon wisdom from the past regarding ethical behavior how to act properly/respectfully toward others. Achieving social harmony was his goal. His philosophy centers around the concepts of li, which is translated as "ritual/convention/tradition," (an outward action) and ren, which translates as "humanity/benevolence/goodness "(or an internal attitude).

Springboard

1. Teacher asks students to brainstorm the following question: "Where do you learn ethics?"

In brainstorming, a group offers to a recorder as many ideas as possible related to the subject at hand. All ideas are welvomed; none are rejected.

2. Teacher writes responses on the board.

Procedure

1. Teacher gives brief historical background, explaining that ancient China went through a turbulent period when warring states were constantly in conflict.
2. Teacher explains that Confucius devised a system known as "the Five Relationships," so that people would know how to act in different situations, in different roles.

Ruler - Subject
Parent - Child
Husband - Wife
Older Sibling - Younger Sibling
Friend - Friend

3. Teacher elicits responses about different roles that students have (daughter, sister, student, friend, etc.), then asks, "Which relationship do you think is the most important? Why?"
4. "Confucius believed that in order to be a good subject, you must first learn to be filial to your parents." Define filial piety and explain its significance.
5. Teacher explains that the ritual is the "glue" that holds society together. It is a social, external community event that eventually becomes automatic and internal. The ritual tradition is known as li and the internal attitude is known as ren (translated as humanity/benevolence/goodness).
6. Teacher chooses examples from The Analects of Confucius about ethics and values. Discuss each example. Due to copyright laws, we are unable to upload examples. We suggest that you use D. C. Lau's translation of the Analects (London: Penguin Books, 1979).

Applications

Each student selects two additional analects that illustrate one of Confucius' five relationships. For each analect, the student should complete Chart A.

Again, because of copyright laws we can not upload examples. Cited here are verses from D.C. Lau's translation of the Analects (Penguin Books, London: 1979).

Master to Servant Relationship: (11:10); (11:11); (12:11); (12:17); (13:6)

Parent to Child Relationship: (1:2); (2:5); (2:6); (2:7); (4:16); (4:18); (4:21); (11:8)

Older Brother to Younger Brother Relationship: (11:5); (11:22);

Husband to Wife Relationship: (17:25); ( 18:4)

Friend to Friend Relationship: (1: 1); (4:26); ( 16:4)

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