The Hundred Schools
of Thought
From 770 to 220 BCE, China experienced a significant cultural development,
leading to the emergence of the Hundred Schools of Thought. This era
coincided with the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, transitioning from the
Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States Period. Confucius, a
prominent philosopher of this time, sought moral values to enable just
governance.
MA by Minura Mirsultanova
Confucius: The Analects
1 Conservative Inspiration
Confucius, unlike many early Chinese philosophers, drew inspiration from the past. He
respected ritual and ancestor worship, which were maintained by the Zhou Dynasty.
2 New Moral Philosophy
Confucius integrated old ideals with the emerging meritocracy, producing a unique moral
philosophy. The Analects primarily serve as a political treatise, emphasizing a
comprehensive ethical system.
3 Comprehensive Ethical System
Confucius emphasized the cultivation of virtue and benevolence to achieve a just and
stable society, promoting values such as loyalty, filial piety, ritual propriety, and
reciprocity.
Confucian Values
Loyalty and Ritual Sincerity Self-reflection
Confucius emphasized the Confucius believed that society Confucius promoted the
virtue of loyalty and the could be transformed by concept of reciprocity and self-
importance of knowing one's example, emphasizing the reflection, advocating modesty,
station in society, family, and power of sincerity and the humility, and loyalty to oneself.
clan. process of transformation.
Impact of Confucius
1 Legacy 2 Revival 3 Global Influence
Confucius's ideas Confucianism Confucianism's impact
profoundly influenced experienced a revival in extended beyond China,
almost every aspect of the Han Dynasty and later influencing Southeast
Chinese society, inspired a Neo-Confucian Asia, Korea, and Japan.
administration, politics, school, reaching its peak
and philosophy. in the 12th century.
Confucian Ideals
Five Constant Relationships
Confucius emphasized the importance of benevolence, loyalty, love, fairness, and understanding in
various relationships, including sovereign-subject, father-son, and husband-wife.
Confucian Influence
1 2 3
Religious Impact Global Reach Modern Integration
Although Confucius remained Confucianism's impact Modern China has shown a
silent about the gods, his ideas extended to Europe through renewed interest in Confucius,
influenced aspects of Daoism Jesuit missionaries, and integrating his ideas with both
and Buddhism. translations of his work began traditional Chinese thought
to influence European thought and Western philosophy.
in the late 17th century.
Confucian Ethical System
551 BCE 479 BCE
Birth of Confucius Death of Confucius
Little is known about his life, except that he was Confucius died in 479 BCE after traveling
from a well-to-do family and became an throughout the empire and returning to Qufu at the
administrator in the Zhou court. end of his life.
Confucian Philosophy
551 BCE Confucius was born in Qufu, in the state of Lu,
China.
6th century BCE The Zhou Dynasty was in decline, leading to the
emergence of the Warring States Period.
479 BCE Confucius died in Qufu, China.
Confucian Legacy
Loyalty Ethical Values Global Influence
Confucius emphasized the virtue Confucius advocated ethical Confucianism's impact extended
of loyalty in various values such as sincerity, self- beyond China, influencing
relationships, promoting a sense reflection, and reciprocity, various cultures and
of duty and respect. shaping the moral fabric of philosophies across the world.
Chinese society.
