Explain East Asian Moral Theory And Practice

Explain East Asian moral theory and practice

Confucianism remains the main thought system in China. It was apprehensive with the ideologies of good conduct, wisdom that is practical and social relationships that are proper. Confucianism has greatly influenced the Chinese attitude towards life. It has also set the living patterns, social value standards and provided the background for the institutions and the political theories of the Chinese people.

The East Asian moral theory and practice are often associated with Confucianism. Confucius is a Latin name based on the honorific title Kong Fuzi (K'ung Fu-tzu) who was also the founder of Confucianism. The name was formed in the 16th century by Jesuit missionaries in China (Yao 16). The birth

The ancestors and popular followers plus Confucius became objects of worship. As a result, Confucian temples were constructed all around China and rituals and sacrifices were carried out. When Confucianism was performed as a religion, it was very different from any other. The Chinese people view religion as a form of education and as such, the main aim of Confucianism to instill moral values in an individual. There is no organized structure or church. No priests or sects or creed exist for people to follow. There is a lack of worship and a lack of personal relationship with a god. Nevertheless, there is recognition of heaven as a force of concern for humans. Men are believed that they should direct their own destiny. There is devotion to ancestors, and the names of ancestors are ordinarily kept in shrines. The father is given the responsibility of making sacrifices and reporting the concerns of the family to these shrines. Confucius put an emphasis of the five virtues which have become the Confucianism ideals. The most significant one is the ren which means humanity, which everyone should follow. The other virtues are Yi which means honesty, Zi means knowledge, xin means faithfulness and li means good behavior. According to the Chinese, the universe has always been under the control of two forces that are in constant opposition i.e. the Yin and the Yang. These two forces are in constant change of power, but each is essential so as to maintain a balance. Everything is made up of 5 elements. Similar to the yin and the yang, the elements of metal, fire, wood, earth and water are constantly influencing each other in the balance of nature (De Barry 31). Confucius used this foundation to determine how things work in harmony and have the belief that this was the key for living and keeping up congruity. In this way, any person would be able to make a correction of the imbalances or disharmony. This idea was utilized in