Good Confucianism book (pdf) - Department of Physics

Terms, and Mozi 69It may be that the term “ Confucian ” was applied to a large number ofpeople, and meant something more general like “ literati. ” Of these literati,only some were strict followers of Confucius and stayed closely associatedwith his teachings. Others may have studied with “ Confucian ” teachers,but went their own way. 20To sum up, the term “ Confucianism ” can indeed be misleading if itis understood as an organized group with a structured ideology that all“ Confucians ” were required to follow. Confucians, or Ru , belonged neitherto an organized party that had a required party line nor to an organizedreligion with a set creed and an initiation. They did, though, follow teachinglineages that drew their authority from Confucius and the ancientsage - kings.In terms of identifying Confucians prior to the Han dynasty, it is clearthat there was a basic core of shared ideas and teaching lineages that doprovide some basis for an “ - ism. ” There was also, however, a fluidityto interpretations and practices. These sub - schools of Confucianism mayhave dressed and spoken in much the same antique style. They handledthe same lore of antiquity, though probably different versions of it, andeducated their students in particular interpretations that were tied to teachinglineages.Though loosely formed, the Confucians were a group identified as “ Ru ”by their enemies. They also used the term “ Ru ” to describe themselves. Wehave seen that Confucians were identified by their allegiance to the past,to the ideals of humanity, good government, rituals, and music, and alsoidentifiable by their dress and manner. No matter how fierce the infightingmay have been among Confucian groups, they all seem to have agreed ona basic set of ideas and practices.Mozi and MohismConfucians established their complex rituals and music to delude people.With their false grief at their long funerals, they fool the family. They saythat all is fated and ignore the poverty around them. They are exceedinglyarrogant and proud. They ignore what is essential and enjoy being lazy andoverbearing. They love their food, but are too lazy to work. 21We have already seen one of the opponents of Confucians, the philosopherMozi. Traditionally, he was said to have lived from 479 to 301 BCE.There is a long tradition that Mozi was from the lower classes, possibly acraftsman. He was assumed to be a contemporary of Confucius, and, likeConfucius ’ family, according to tradition, from the state of Song. Mozi ’ sdedication can be seen in the story that, in order to try to prevent a war,