Eastern Philosophy
Eastern PhilosophyCHINESE PHILOSOPHY ("love of wisdom")
Chinese philosophy has passed through three distinct historical stages:
The Classical Age: a creative period from the 6th to the 2nd century BC;
The Medieval Age: from the 2nd century BC to the 11th century AD, a period of synthesis and absorption of foreign thought;
The Modern Age: from the 11th century to the present, a period of maturation of earlier philosophical trends and introduction of new philosophies from the West.
Throughout all these periods, Chinese thought has tended toward humanism rather than spiritualism and rationalism rather than mysticism.
Confucius:
HIS EARLY LIFE: WHERE HIS THOUGHT EVOLVED.
Chinese philosopher and one of the most influential figures in Chinese history.
When you talk about eastern philosophy you can't help but talk about Confucius. He is the central focus of eastern thought and his teachings branched out to his diciples (like the famous Mencius).
According to tradition, Confucius was born in the state of Lu of the noble K'ung clan. His original name was K'ung Ch'iu. His father, commander of a district in Lu, died three years after Confucius was born, leaving the family in poverty; but Confucius nevertheless received a fine education.
"To learn and from time to time to apply what one has learned -- isn't that a pleasure?"
Analects 1:1
He was married at the age of 19 and had one son and two daughters. During the four years immediately after his marriage, poverty compelled him to perform menial labors for the chief of the district in which he lived.
HIS CARREER(S): WHERE HE PUT HIS THOUGHTS INTO ACTION.
His mother died in 527 BC, and after a period of mourning he began his career as a teacher, usually traveling about and instructing the small body of disciples that had gathered around him. His fame as a man of learning and character and his reverence for Chinese ideals and customs soon spread through the principality of Lu.
Living as he did in the second half of the Chou dynasty (circa 1027-256 BC), when feudalism and corruption in China were rampant, Confucius deplored the contemporary disorder and lack of moral standards.
He came to believe that the only remedy was to convert people once more to the principles and precepts of the sages of antiquity. He therefore lectured to his pupils on the ancient classics. He taught the great value of the power of example.
"Rulers can be great only if they themselves lead exemplary lives, and were they willing to be guided by moral principles, their states would inevitably...
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