Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. Following the official abandonment of Legalism in China after the Qin Dynasty, Confucianism became the official state ideology of the Han. The core of Confucianism is humanism, or what the philosopher Herbert Fingarette calls "the secular as sacred." The focus of spiritual concern is this world and the family, not the gods and not the afterlife. Confucianism broadly speaking does not exalt faithfulness to divine will or higher law.
The Culture of people who follow Confucianism is very strict and follows a large set of rules. Followers of Confucianism have to bide by the tradition known as Filial Piety. This means that everyone has to show respect for their elders. Other than this, Confucianists must maintain their social status; they can't try to move up the social ladder to be anything more than they already are. Confucius believed in the Merit System, the idea that there are rewards for good deeds.
The Culture of people who follow Confucianism is very strict and follows a large set of rules. Followers of Confucianism have to bide by the tradition known as Filial Piety. This means that everyone has to show respect for their elders. Other than this, Confucianists must maintain their social status; they can't try to move up the social ladder to be anything more than they already are. Confucius believed in the Merit System, the idea that there are rewards for good deeds.
Social harmony therefore results in part from every individual knowing his or her place in the social order.
The Five Bonds-
The Five Bonds-
- Ruler to Ruled
- Father to Son
- Husband to Wife
- Elder Brother to Younger Brother
- Friend to Friend
It is still not decided if Confucianism is a religion or not since the earliest European arrivals in China said it was a ethical system more then a religion. But to this day it is still classified as a religion since it fulfills the same psychological role that religions do.