Beliefs of Ancient China
- The dominant philosophy of China became Confucianism
- Confucianism was based on the teachings of Confucius
- Confucius' teachings focused on ethics and proper behavior for individuals and the government
- Confucius believed that people should conduct their lives based on two principles
- Ren is the concern for others
- Li is appropriate behavior
- Confucius believed that society would function best if everybody followed these principles ren and li
- Order was maintained in society when people knew their place and behaved appropriately
- Young people were taught to obey their elders and subjects shall obey their rulers
- Neo-Confucianism developed after the Song Dynasty
- Neo-COnfucianism still focused on proper behavior but also emphasized on spiritual matters
- Neo-Confucian scholars would discuss thing like what made people do bad things even though their nature was so great