Moral Authority, the State and Confusius

Confucius’s philosophy can also be seen as social commentary, especially when it relates to his thoughts on the concept of family and individual responsibility.  His teachings were both political and ethical.  They were born out of the social and political events surrounding the rise of the Zhou power.  They served to legitimize political authority at the highest levels and to create social harmony.

Confucius places an emphasis on the family and its function.  He sees it as one of the most fundamental units of society at large.  Because families participate in society, it is a logical step to think that how one performs in society, as an adult, would be built on the foundations instilled as a child, by one’s family.  It was the family’s responsibility, Confucius argued, for the education of their children.  Parents should ensure that their children are prepared for live in society and would be able to meet and overcome the problems they would later face.  If done properly, there would be obedience within families where individuals did what needed to be done, not simply what the individual wanted to do. (Duiker, 2006)  It is ultimately a political statement, however.  Good family members, who are obedient and who put their responsibility to the community, and state, over their individual desires would become good members of society, and, therefore, good subject.  Obedient subjects would create political stability.

Confucius was not only talking the kids at the back of the class.  He also had thoughts on those in the higher echelon of the political hierarchy.  Even emperors had their roles to play.  If the ruler set a good example, the benefits would be seen by society and the subjects would act accordingly.  This would ensure political stability.  In Confucius’s time, it was thought that rulers derived their authority by a mandate from heaven. (Adler, 2005)  By cultivating the morality of emperors, kings and rulers, society could be transformed.  A weak kingdom could be made powerful; a chaotic empire could be pacified by following Confucian philosophy.  Essentially, he was making the statement that government by moral authority was far superior to government by immoral authority.

Confucian thought helped to reinforce the divine authority of rulers, an idea planted by the Zhou dynasty that can still be seen today.  By establishing a political system, with the family at the base, which reached from the ground up through the ruler and into heaven, he found a way to establish political harmony and societal peace.  Even though he may not have had the immediate effect he desired, his comments, though, would resonate through the ages. 

Works Cited

Adler, Joseph A.  “Chinese Religion: An Overview.”  In Encyclopedia of Religion, 2^nd ed., edited by Lindsay Jones.  Detroit: MacMillan Reference USA, 2005.

Duiker, William J. and Jackson Spielgovel.  The Essential World History, 3^rd ed.  Boston: Cengage Learning, 2006.