Talk-on-Confucius孔子英文介绍.ppt

Who is Confucius?Great educator, philosopher and thinker in Chinese historyThe greatest representative of the ancient Chinese culture and civilizationFounder of ConfucianismThe foremost sage, a national ideal and example Likened to Chinas Socrates, Plato or in a sense Jesus ChristConfucius Chinese namesConfucius: the name having nothing to do with “confuse”; a man not confusing at all; his teachings never difficult to understand. Not an abstract philosopher but a teacher of easy moral lessonsConfucius, Latinized form of Kong Fuzi in Chinese.Kong, his family name; Fuzi or Zi, meaning Great Master, honorific titles in ancient China for famous scholars, statesmen or teachers. His original name, Kong Qiu, which common Chinese people never use. Not respectful to call the Master by it.Kong Zi: the most common reference in China I. Confucius Life Confucius own comment on his life:uThe Master said, “At fifteen I bent my mind on learning. At thirty, I was firmly established. At forty, I was free from delusion. At fifty, I knew my destiny. At sixty, I was able to tell right from wrong in everything I heard. At seventy, I could follow my hearts desire without overstepping the rules of propriety.” The Analects age of establishment (the age of 30)age of freedom from delusion (the age of 40)age of knowing ones own destiny (the age of 50) His early lifeBorn in a hill cave in Qufu in 551 B. C., “a time of chaos under the sun”His father died when he was only 3.Fond of learning hard and thinking rationallyHis marriage, family and childrenTaking various humble jobsThe first private school teacherEstablished as a famous scholar around 30Founding the first private school in the history of Chinese educationOpening the door of school to ordinary people and breaking the monopoly of education by the nobles. “In my classroom there is no class distinction.”The teacher of teachers, “the Greatest and Foremost Teacher”A benevolent government officialHis life purpose: to take up a government post to put his ideas into practiceAppointed the Minister of Justice Success in the position; “People need not lock their doors at night.” 1. His resignation and 14-year travel among other statesHis final daysHis return to his native state, respected as the Father of the StateContinuing his teaching career while editing several ancient classics1. His death in 479 B. C. at the age of 73His works“Im not an inventor of new ideas but a transmitter of ancient wisdom”, no writing by him left to usThe Analects, edited by his disciples after his death, the most reliable book for studying Confucius1. Chinese peoples Bible, one of the most quoted book in Chinese classics, the richest source of Chinese mottos and proverbs II. Confucius Teachings A believer of Heaven but not a religious founder and leader, often avoiding talking about religious subjectsConfucianism, though treated by some people as a sort of religion, having nothing to do with religionA great, wise teacher on personal and public morality and virtue1. Confucius teachings on ren（仁）仁） Ren, the most important concept in Confucius thought, the central core of his philosophy English words for ren: love, goodness, kindness, friendliness, human-heartedness, benevolence (benevolent), humanity1) What is ren? What is its meaning? Chinese character of ren:a. Ren, denoting good relationship between two persons or among people, harmonious human relations. Confucius on ren:“Do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you. This is ren.” (cf. Kants saying)“Ren is to love other men, to love the people extensively.”“I would describe ren like this: If you wish to establish yourself you should also assist others to establish. If you wish to be successful you should also help others to be successful.”“My aspiration to attain ren is that the aged live an easy life, friends have faith in each other and children be well cared.” 2) The importance of renConfucius said, “To have ren (to be benevolent) is to be a man.” “Only a man of ren is capable of distinguishing good people and bad people and knowing who to love and who to hate.”The fundamental quality of man, the highest standard of ones morals3) How to acquire ren?Confucius said, “Is ren far away? No. If I aspire for ren it is right here!” The achievement of ren is in our own hand. 2. Confucius teachings on li（礼）（礼）English words for liWhat is li?The importance of li in ones moral cultivation and conduct1. The ideal combination and embodiment of ren and li: Junzi3. Confucius teachings on junzi（君子）（君子）Junzi：a righteous man, a man in whom ren is harmoniously blended with liJunzi vs. petty manJunzi, the most important basis for a harmonious country and societyHow can a man become a junzi? 1. Four steps by which a man becomes a full junzi: cultivating oneself for goodness, managing ones family well, run ones state well and bringing peace to the whole country4. Confucius teachings on good government (仁仁政政)“He who rules by virtue and benevolence is like a pole-star, which remains in its place while all the other stars surround it.” The right to govern depends upon the rulers and government officials ability and virtue to make the governed happy. (cf. The right to govern depends upon the consent of the governed.)1. The rulers constant self-rectification of errors and self-cultivation of virtues are the key to benevolent government.5. Confucius teachings on learning and education(1) The only way to gain knowledge is to learn.(2) Intellectual honesty is important.(3) Learning and practice are inseparable.III. Confucius Influence 1. His influence in China (1) Great stress on moral cultivation (2) Moral restrictions on government officials (3) Stress upon social harmony (4) The important role of rites in social life (5) Special emphasis on childrens education (6) Teachers high position in the society (7) Young peoples adherence to filial piety2. His influence in foreign countries