Daoism & Confucianism

Daoism may be best understood in some aspects when compared to Confucianism. Confucianism, attributed to Kongfuzi, drew on the traditional concept of Chinese ancestor worship to more strongly establish filial piety. Primarily, there are two major thoughts in Confucianism, one is to abide by a set of societal rules to keep peace between members of a family or community. These rules and relationships are known as the Five Relationships: ruler and minister, father and son, husband and wife, elder and younger brother, and friend and friend. For the most part, however, these relationships all function as variations on the father and son relationship. For example, ruler, husband, elder brother and older friend are all in the position of the father figure in relation to the minister, son, wife, younger brother and younger friend. Where the father's duty is to care for his son, be loyal to him and protect him, it is the son's duty to be loyal to the father and obey his instruction. The second precept that adds depth to these societal rules is the moral nature and integrity inherent in human relationships. This is the concept of "ren" or humanity. According to Confucius, working on the relationships in one's life consciously created moral fiber and integrity. He also put forth the groundbreaking concept that a man's worth should be measured not by his birth or circumstances, but by his actions -- whether they are moral and good, or immoral and evil.

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Category: Philosophy - D