Confucian Thought

Confucian thought, established by Confucius, is the core ideological system of the Confucian school, encompassing five fundamental principles: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust. This philosophy emphasizes interpersonal relationships, advocating benevolence as love and respect for others; righteousness as justice and fairness; propriety as social norms and codes of conduct; wisdom as rationality and judgment; and trust as honesty and faith.

The historical backdrop of Confucian thought traces back to the pre-Qin period, becoming the official state philosophy during Emperor Wu of Han’s reign through Dong Zhongshu’s policy of “suppressing a hundred schools and respecting Confucianism alone.” Despite being attacked during the Qin Dynasty’s “book burning and burying of scholars,” after the Han Dynasty, Confucian thought gradually emerged as the dominant ideology in Chinese feudal society, profoundly influencing China’s politics, culture, and society.

Confucian thought emphasizes not only individual cultivation and moral standards but also social governance and education. It advocates virtuous governance, suggesting that rulers should govern by virtue and emphasizes education as a crucial means of state governance. Additionally, Confucian thought encompasses rich philosophical and ethical ideas, such as “the unity of heaven and man” and “great unity,” which hold significant positions in traditional Chinese culture.