Confucianism

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Confucianism
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What makes coercive power legitimate?

• (a. nothing b. divine right c. consent of the
  coerced d. massive force e. efficient
  administration)

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Confucius and Mencius

• Confucius (551-479 BCE) -- lived during Spring
  and Autumn period
• Most important thinker in Chinese history
• Mencius (385-302 BCE) -- lived during Warring
  States period

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Analects (Lun Yü) Main Ideas

• 1. Tradition as intrinsic good
• 2. Ideal of the Gentleman (superior man
  chun-tzü)
• 3. The Way, or middle path, as virtue
• 4. Happiness as by-product state
• 5. The good ruler brings prosperity to subjects

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The Gentleman (chun-tzü)

• Sexist ideal
• Not result of birth, but an achievement
• A gentleman is not an implement.
• Ritual and tradition, not labor

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The Way, or the middle path

• Name for virtuous living
• Golden rule (What I do not want others to do to
  me, I have no desire to do to others.)
• Grasped intuitively
• Goodness not competitive

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Happiness

• Stoic view of happiness have few wants
• Happiness is by-product of living well

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Tradition

• Tradition the Way
• Bk7, 24 The master took four subjects for his
  teaching culture, conduct of affairs, loyalty to
  superiors, and keeping of promises.
• Importance of familial and social roles
• Importance of maintaining traditional practices

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Question Why Tradition?

• Why ought we prefer older ways to new ones?
• What legitimates the authority of tradition?

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Qualities of a Good Ruler

• 1. Benevolence
• 2. Efficiency in public administration
• 3. Forbearance of greed and blood lust
• 4. Willingness to sacrifice for peoples welfare

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Authority how does a ruler gain and maintain
power?

• By conquest?
• By divine right?
• By peoples consent?

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Legitimacy when is a ruler justified in
claiming authority?

• When are the people justified in rebelling
  against authority?