Confucianism: Short Overview Of Philosophy

Confucianism, a system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius and developed by Mencius. Confucianism was based on and created in China & originally made for Chinese society. Is it considered a philosophy, religion, or both? Based on research, Confucianism is considered a philosophy, even though in the far the west it is claimed as a religion. This is because the founder had a strong belief in philosophy, the founder did not believe in spiritual questions or beliefs, & Confucianism did not have a god or higher power.

A Philosophy is studying the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline. Confucius, the founder had a strong belief in philosophy. He was always political and ethical but never spiritual. “ Traditional Chinese principles began to deteriorate, resulting in a period of moral decline. Confucius recognized an opportunity — and an obligation — to reinforce the societal values of compassion and tradition.” This shows how Confucius had an opportunity to change and better society, which brings in the meaning of philosophy. Confucianism was established for social understandings, organizations, & the superiority of the Chinese society.

Confucius did not believe in spiritual questions or beliefs. He believed that it was useless to speculate on spiritual questions. He also assumed that it was better than it was an order in the universe. The adherents of Confucius have never considered him as a god.” Confucianism doesn’t believe in anything – it is a philosophy, it is a number of abstract ideas that were developed in the mind of an individual..”. This shows how Confucianism believed in nothing spiritual, it was strictly on the simple fact of building as a philosophy. Simply for the fact that he was trying to make a better universe as attainable.

Usually, in a religion, you have a God or some sort of higher power. However, in Confucianism, they didn’t have any higher power or types of God. In religion, the focus was to worship a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods. “Confucius has never been considered a god by his adherents…Confucius did believe, however, in the Great Ultimate (Tao), which manifests itself in the I, or change. “ This explains how there was no higher power, only Confucius himself believed in a certain someone but not a god. Confucianism focused on bettering society.

Overall, in the end, Confucius just wanted a better world. He had all of the qualifications for a philosophy according to the majority. Not only for the Chinese society but for everyone. Typically you can say Confucianism was for peace, that’s all he ever wanted. That’s why he created it, he didn’t want to be looked up to as a god or a higher power. Just someone who was trying to make better deference around the universe. So, to the conclusion, Confucianism is considered a philosophy. He did not want to require any beliefs or any religious beliefs included in Confucianism. Confucius accomplishes his goal of making his philosophy well.