10 Ethical Theses of Confucius

Posted Sat, 06/25/2011 - 15:27 by admin

MUCH OF CONFUCIUS’ TEACHING is directed toward the maintenance of three interlocking kinds of order: aesthetic, social, and moral. Though Confucius, as a teacher, emphasizes the “Six Arts”—ritual, music, archery, chariot-riding, calligraphy, and computation, he regards morality as the most important subject.

            The following are 10 of Confucius’ ethical theses.

1. Moral education is important because it is the means by which one can rectify a nation’s unpleasant situation and restore meaning to language and values to society.
 
2. Ethics must be practical and more concerned with earthly matters, such as good manners, treating others kindly, and enhancing family relations.
 
3. The practice of social decorum and ritual, or li, is the quickest path to ethical growth.
 
4. Heaven is an impersonal force of morality or ethics. (Though Confucius believed in heaven not in the traditional spiritual sense).
 
5. The most important moral lessons are to be found in the canonical Book of Songs, because many of its poems are both beautiful and Good.
 
6. Political philosophy must be rooted in ethical principles.
 
7. A ruler should learn self-discipline, should govern his subjects by his own example, and should treat them with love and concern.
 
8. The best government is one that rules through "rites" (lǐ) and people's naturaly morality, rather than by using bribery and coercion.
9. A ruler should practice kindness and virtuous living.
 
10. The primary task of the ruler is to achieve the welfare (well-being) and happiness of the people of his state. To accomplish this aim, the ruler first had to set a moral (good character) example by his own conduct.
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