Theology or Philosophy of Person

Confucianism is a practice of self-cultivation.  A Confucian is always trying to be a more harmonious person.  The final stage of development is Sagehood.  Taylor writes, "The commitment to sagehood is a commitment to the moral responsibility of becoming a person of goodness, an individual who, in reverential attitude, experiences a fundamental unity between himself and Heaven, earth and the ten-thousand things" (56)  Sage-hood is a mindfulness of place, knowing exactly who you are, and the continuity around you.  It is a mindfulness of respect and connection.

Historically Confucianism was about the privileged class in China.  Confucius himself was most concerned with teaching his principles to Kings and Rulers.  In 605 CE Emperor Yang of Sui instituted an exam system; to be a part of the government, functionaries were required to pass a test of Confucian principles (Armstrong 372).  The exam system democratized government service, but  it took money and time to acquire the education necessary to take the exam. This way of looking at education, though, as a means to advancement was quite individualistic. Students took exams and passed or failed them on their own.

Although Confucianism is about self-cultivation, it is different cultivation from the individuality of the West.  Western individuality is about cultivating the distinct self.  Knowing thyself in the West means knowing what unique gifts one has and then developing those gifts, even if they disrupt the family or the social order.  The Western hero isn't necessarily out to hurt her family but if that is what she needs to do, we have movie after movie encouraging us to do so!  Confucianism is not about that kind of self-cultivation.  It is about being aware of your place in the web of existence, especially your place in the human community.  By your cultivation of that place in the web, you strengthen the whole web.  It is as if you are adding shine, strength and beauty to your connections and that increases your own shen or soul.  Heaven looking down can see how strong this web of connection is and approves of your 'making' of the world.  Are you making yourself or your connections; they are all the same!

The Confucian individual also accepts power relationships in a spirit of humility, even love.  In contrast, in the West we are all of equal value, with of course, some more equal than others. Power and class make us uncomfortable because we have no acceptable way to deal with them. Confucianism accepts and cultivates love and respect across power differentials.  Children are required to respect elders, women their husbands, and all people their leaders.  Obviously this is an ideal and I will leave it up to others, with more actual experience of this system to point out its limitations.

You can imagine what types of arts, family and government this philosophy would develop.  In the arts there would be no nihilistic visions but a careful crafting of ritual images. Collaborative arts, such as orchestra, would thrive.  Families would support their members but might also stifle the gifts of individual members especially if they were low on the power scale (women, children, the uneducated).  However, all would know where they fit in the family and, if they lived long enough, would eventually become an elder and be respected.  In government it allows leaders to govern without much questioning from their constituents.  At the same time, leaders would be expected to take care of the people, not because the people are watching but because they are responsible for them.