Confucianism
Confucianism is something of a derivative. As a matter of
fact, Confucius insisted on close adherence to Tao. However,
he was pragmatic and concerned with the existential problems
of man, hence he deals less with generalities and more with
the practical matters of daily and personal relationships.
The essence of his system of relationships is fivefold, and
fundamental to his social order: ruler and subject; father
and son; husband and wife; older brother and younger brother;
older friend and younger friend. The ideal of conduct, ordering
all human relationships and resulting in an ideal social structure
and harmony is: li. A famous Confucian maxim is: "Never
do to others, what you would not like them to do to you."
(Golden Rule ?) His disciples later on developed ten attitudes
that are to govern the five relationships: love in father
and filial piety in the son; gentility in the oldest brother
and humility and respect in the younger; righteous behavior
in the husband and obedience in the wife; humane consideration
in elders and deference in juniors; benevolence in rulers
and loyalty in subjects. Confucius did not claim to be the
originator of this philosophical/ethical code. Some of the
ideas he claims to have derived from classical writings, but
he codified them and illuminated them with his own insights
and principles. Thus developed one the great and most durable
ethical and social edifices in recorded time. It shaped Chinese
thought and character
An excerpt from A Synopsis of the Ethics of Confucianism
by Fritz G. Cohen
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