Comparative Analysis of Confucianism and Taoism in Understanding of Contemporary Eastern Cultural

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to enlighten and explore Confucius and Lao Tzu in a holistic manner. The core objective of the paper is to highlight and discuss respective ideologies presented by Confucius and Lao Tzu. Nonetheless, the paper also describes the conceptions of Confucianism and Taoism which are depicted from the respective ideologies. The paper analyzes the influence of these ideologies on the Eastern Culture. Nonetheless, the paper also describes the understanding of contemporary enlightenment of culture and heritage followed by Eastern nations through the conceptions of Confucianism and Taoism.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Analysis of Confucius Ideology5

Analysis of Lao Tzu Ideology6

The Contribution of Confucianism in Understanding Contemporary Eastern Cultural7

Confucianism's Interpretation of Eastern Cultural Phenomenon8

Confucian Ritual Practice10

The Contribution of Taoism in Understanding Contemporary Eastern Cultural11

Taoism's Interpretation of Eastern Cultural Phenomenon12

Taoism Ritual Practice14

Conclusion15

References17

Comparative Analysis of Confucianism and Taoism in Understanding of Contemporary Eastern Cultural

Introduction

Confucianism is commonly viewed as a major religion of China, although its religious nature is still being debated by scholars in both China and the West. Through a chronological narrative that traces the development of Confucianism from the time of Confucius to contemporary China and east Asia, this entry focuses on the following aspects of Confucianism: the origin of Confucianism and the Confucian canon, the influence of Confucianism in imperial China, the treatment of Confucianism by the Chinese socialist state in the 20th century, the contemporary revival of Confucian ritual practices, and the global nature of Confucianism.

Nonetheless, Lao Tzu was keeper of the Archives of the Chou court and a contemporary of Confucius (sixth to fifth century B.C.E.) does not square with the grammar and rhyme structure of the text that takes his name. The contemporary scholar, D. C. Lau, is probably correct in describing the 5,000-character work, Lao Tzu, as a volume of selected sayings edited out of a larger corpus of wisdom literature, although recent archaeological finds date this process to the fourth century B.C.E., more than a century earlier than previously thought. These sayings, strung together by loose association and rhyme, probably functioned independently as easily recalled topics for scholarly comment and discussion in a largely oral tradition; as such, they have a coherence dependent as much upon popular familiarity as upon general content and style.

Confucianism is the general system of ethics that the Chinese thinker and social philosopher Confucius (ca. 551-479 BCE), his interpreter Mencius (ca. 372-289 BCE), and their early followers advocated to build a moral community of Datong shehui, known as the Great Harmony Society, in which people could live happy and worthy lives. To build such a community, the Confucian ethical system offered a unique model of benevolent government through moral education and virtuous leadership. This entry first introduces the central values and principles of Confucianism and then highlights its differences from the Eastern liberal democratic model of government.

Analysis of Confucius Ideology

In China, the importance of Confucianism diminished in the wake of Communism. Communist leaders condemned Confucianism on the grounds that its ...