Political Theory
Confucius' political thought is based upon his ethical thought. He argues that the best government is one that rules through "rites" and people's natural morality, rather than using bribery and force. He explained this in one of the most important analect : 1. "If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given them by punishments, they will try to avoid the punishment, but have no sense of shame. If they be led by virtue, and uniformity sought to be given them by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good." (Translated by James Legge) This "sense of shame" is somewhat an internalization of duty, where the punishment precedes the evil action, instead of following it in the form of laws as in Legalism.
While he supported the idea of the all powerful Emperor, probably because of the chaotic state of China at his time, his philosophies contained a number of elements to limit the power of the rulers. He argued for according language with truth - thus honesty was of the most paramount importance. Even in facial expression, one sought always to achieve this. Discussing about relationships between a son and his father, or between a subject and his King, he underline that not giving advices to the superior if he's going in the wrong way is going against the due respect to superiors.
This was built upon by his disciple Mencius to argue that if the King was not acting like a King, he should no longer be King and lost the Mandate of Heaven. Therefore, a tyranicide is justified because a tyrant is more a thief than a King.
In many ways his political theory resembles that of Roman Stoicism.
Temples
The following is a list of temples that are dedicated to Confucius:
Successors and descendants
Confucius' philosophical school was first continued by his direct disciples and by his grandson Zisi. Mencius and Xun Zi are his two great followers, one on each "side" of his philosophy, let's say idealism and realism. They built upon and expanded his ethico-political system.
His descendants were tracked down by the imperial government. They were honoured the rank of a marquis 35 times since Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, and they were promoted to the rank of duke 42 times from the Tang Dynasty to 1935. One of the most common title is Duke Yansheng (衍聖公 Yǎnshèng gōng), which means "overflowing with sainthood." The latest descendant is K'ung Te-ch'eng (孔德成 Kǒng Déchéng) (born 1920), who is the 77th generation and a professor in the National Taiwan University.
See also: Analects of Confucius
External links
zh-cn:孔子
zh-tw:孔子/繁
