Confucius biography ppt
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Confucius (Kung Fu-Tzu)*�(551-479 BC)
& Confucianism
Reading from the Analects (Text, pp. 1-14)
*Family name = Kung (Kong)
Personal name = Zhong-ni
Kung Fu-Tzu (Kong Fu-zi) = “Master Kung”
“Confucius” = Latinization of “Kung Fu-Tzu”
The History of Chinese Philosophy
- The Classical Age (6th century BC-2d century AD)
- Confucianism (Confucius, 551-479 BC)
- Daoism (Lao Tzu, 6th century BC)
- Mohism (Mo Tzu, 468-376 BC)
- The Yin-Yang School (founder unknown)
- The School of Names (Logic) (Hui Shih, c. 380-305 BC)
- Legalism (Han Fei Tzu, d. 23 BC)
- The Medieval Age (2d-10th centuries BC): relations & conflicts between Confucianism, Daoism, & Buddhism
- The Modern Age (11th century AD-Present)
- Neo-Confucianism (incorporation of Daoist & Buddhist elements in an overall Confucian perspective) (Chu Hsi, 1130-1200 AD & many others)
- 20th century impact of Western philosophies such as Pragmatism & Marxism
Confucius claimed to derive his teachings from “the Ancients,” whose wisdom is embodied in “The Five Classics” (Wu Jing)
- The I Jing (“Book of Changes”)
- The Shu Jing (“Book of History”)
- The Shih Jing (“Book of Odes” [poetry])
- The Li Ji (“Book of Rites”)
- The Ch’un-ch’iu (“Spring & Autumn Annals”)
The primary sources
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Confucius
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The Life of Confucius
The Life of Confucius Confucius was a Chinese teacher and philosopher. He was the most famous and important of the early Chinese thinkers. The Chinese called him Kong Fu Zi or “Master Kong.” Confucius is the Latinized version of this name.
The Early Years • Confucius was born in 551 B.C. to a noble but poor family. • He loved learning and was mostly self-taught. • He hoped to advance to an important government office, but he never succeeded. Instead, he decided to try teaching.
A Pioneer Teacher • Many historians think that Confucius was China’s first professional teacher. • He charged students a fee to take his classes. • He taught the students his views of life and government. He was very dedicated. • Confucius searched for a ruler who would follow his teachings, but he couldn’t find one. • He died in 479 B.C. at the age of 73, believing his life had been a failure. He had no way of knowing that his teachings would be followed for many centuries.
Questions • What does this mean? “From the very poorest upward …none has ever come to me without receiving instruction. I instruct only a student who bursts with eagerness.” –Confucius • What kind of students did Confucius like to teach?
The Teachings of Confucius • Confucius did not cl