Adjacent Words

Confucianism definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the teachings of Confucius emphasizing love for humanity; high value given to learning and to devotion to family (including ancestors); peace; justice; influenced the traditional culture of China

Merriam Webster's

noun see Confucian

Britannica Concise

Scholarly tradition and way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th-5th cent. BC and followed by the Chinese for more than two millennia. Though not organized as a religion, it has deeply influenced E. Asian spiritual and political life in a comparable manner. The core idea is ren ("humaneness," "benevolence"), signifying excellent character in accord with li (ritual norms), zhong (loyalty to one's true nature), shu (reciprocity), and xiao (filial piety). Together these constitute de (virtue). Mencius, Xunzi, and others sustained Confucianism, but it was not influential until Dong Zhongshu emerged in the 2nd cent. BC. Confucianism was then recognized as the Han state cult, and the Five Classics became the core of education. In spite of the influence of Taoism and Buddhism, Confucian ethics have had the strongest influence on the moral fabric of Chinese society. A revival of Confucian thought in the 11th cent. resulted in Neo-Confucianism, a major influence in Korea during the Choson dynasty and in Japan during the Edo period.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Confucianism Con*fu"cian*ism, n. The political morality taught by Confucius and his disciples, which forms the basis of the Chinese jurisprudence and education. It can hardly be called a religion, as it does not inculcate the worship of any god. --S. W. Williams.