A Brief History of Confucianism

Author: Qian Faping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Confucianism, as the Eastern scholar, is the benevolent and wise individuals who have studied and revered the Confucian and Mencian philosophies for thousands of years. Traditional Confucian scholars placed great emphasis on the cultivation of the "super-ego" structure in personality, integrating the individual into the social collective structure to achieve the ideal of self-cultivation, family harmony, governance, and world peace. The Confucian spirit is summarized by the five virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. Historically, it has produced countless great Confucian scholars who could both secure their own livelihood and contribute to the governance of the nation. Confucian culture always believes in addition and multiplication in terms of self-cultivation and worldly success. This spirit of continuous progress remains a practical pillar for scholars today in nurturing their grand and decisive demeanor. To help readers understand the full picture of Chinese Confucianism and appreciate its illuminating essence, this book not only traces the development of Confucian thought but also provides detailed introductions to the core ideas of Confucianism and its representative scholars. Over 200 illustrations not only enhance the visual appeal of the book but also reinforce and expand its content, making it a comprehensive historical introduction to Confucian culture as well as a full-color reading companion suitable for contemporary readers.