Reading List
- Confucianism Reading ListRecommended books and films on Confucianism from McKee Library's collection.
Research & Reference
- Confucianism: Asia SocietyConfucianism is often characterized as a system of social and ethical philosophy rather than a religion. In fact, Confucianism built on an ancient religious foundation to establish the social values, institutions, and transcendent ideals of traditional Chinese society...
- Confucianism: BritannicaConfucianism, the way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century BCE and followed by the Chinese people for more than two millennia. Although transformed over time, it is still the substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese. Its influence has also extended to other countries, particularly Korea, Japan, and Vietnam...
- Confucianism: World History EncyclopediaConfucianism is a philosophy developed in 6th-century BCE China, which is considered by some a secular-humanist belief system, by some a religion, and by others a social code. The broad range of subjects touched on by Confucianism lends itself to all three of these interpretations depending on which aspects one focuses on...
- Confucius: Credo ReferenceThe son of a poor but aristocratic family dwelling in the ancient Chinese state of Lu (now part of Shandong [Shantung] province), Confucius early impressed his contemporaries with his precocious learning and wisdom. A teacher who prepared young Chinese men for government service, he came to advise the rulers of his native state...
Streaming Media
- Confucius: Words of WisdomChronicles the life of the Chinese sage renowned for his serenity and wisdom, but whose life was filled with turmoil.
- Confucius: The Life and Work of ConfuciusConfucius (551 - 479 B.C.) was not exactly an author in the way that other writers in the Famous Authors series are. His ideas however, expressed in his Analects, have been the backbone of the Chinese psyche ever since he uttered them. He was very concerned that people should read history and poetry, influencing China to become the most literate society on earth. This film tells what is known of his life and gives an introduction to his ideas and his importance in Chinese society.
- Books that Matter: The Analects of ConfuciusWith Books That Matter: The Analects of Confucius, explore one of the world's most important philosophical texts. Filled with rich historical context, detailed close readings of key passages, and stories of Confucius and his students (and critics), these 24 lectures are required learning for anyone who wants a solid grasp of Eastern philosophy.
- Confucius's Ideal: Consummate ConductExplore the highest (and most difficult) of Confucian skills: consummate conduct (ren). Along the way, you'll learn how this concept has dominated 25 centuries of Chinese history, how it reveals the true depths of Confucius's teachings, and why it's not just a lifestyle - but a matter of life and death.
Perspectives
Confucius
Confucius is perhaps the most important philosopher in history. Today, his teachings shape the daily lives of more than 1.6 billion people. Throughout East Asia, Confucius's influence can be seen in everything from business practices and family relationships to educational standards and government policies. Even as western ideas from Christianity to Communism have bombarded the region, Confucius's doctrine has endured as the foundation of East Asian culture. It is impossible to understand East Asia, journalist Michael Schuman demonstrates, without first engaging with Confucius and his vast legacy. Confucius created a worldview that is in many respects distinct from, and in conflict with, Western culture. As Schuman shows, the way that East Asian companies are managed, how family members interact with each other, and how governments see their role in society all differ from the norm in the West due to Confucius's lasting impact. Confucius has been credited with giving East Asia an advantage in today's world, by instilling its people with a devotion to learning, and propelling the region's economic progress. Still, the sage has also been highly controversial. For the past 100 years, East Asians have questioned if the region can become truly modern while Confucius remains so entrenched in society. He has been criticized for causing the inequality of women, promoting authoritarian regimes, and suppressing human rights.
Confucius
An ideal way to discover the teachings of Confucius! Fingarette¿s primary aim is to help readers discover what is distinctive in Confucius and to learn what he can teach us. Fingarette-who thinks the best way to discover Confucius¿s teaching is by taking him at his word-uses original text as his principal resource in an effort to try to see what it says, what it implies and what it does not say or need not imply.
Chinese Thought from Confucius to Mao Tse-Tung
"Chinese philosophy before our Christian era is emphasized in this nontechnical summary of Chinese thought. Professor Creel also deals with Confucianism, the ideas of Mo-tsu and Mencius, Taoism, Legalism, and their variations and adaptations. As an introduction for the general reader, this book stands among the best."--China: A Resource and Curriculum Guide "There exists nowhere else such a well-written presentation of the main trends in Chinese thought in so brief a space. The text is not cluttered with Chinese names and the pages are not weighed down with footnotes--but the references are there for those who want them, with suggestions for further readings. This is a book which can be understood by those who have never read anything else about China."--The New York Times Book Review