Q Is Confucianism a religion or a philosophy?
A Confucianism is primarily classified as an ethical and philosophical system rather than an organized religion. It lacks a centralized creator God, a formal priesthood, and a defined theology regarding the afterlife. However, it contains deep spiritual elements such as ancestor veneration, the honoring of sacred rituals, and a profound reverence for a cosmic order known as Tian (Heaven) leading many scholars to view it as a hybrid socio-political religion.
A Confucianism is primarily classified as an ethical and philosophical system rather than an organized religion. It lacks a centralized creator God, a formal priesthood, and a defined theology regarding the afterlife. However, it contains deep spiritual elements such as ancestor veneration, the honoring of sacred rituals, and a profound reverence for a cosmic order known as Tian (Heaven) leading many scholars to view it as a hybrid socio-political religion.
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What is Confucianism?The ancient Chinese religion of Confucianism began its roots at the birth of K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucius) in 551 BC. Confucius spent his life wandering through China and advising different rulers and developing a band of followers. Many of the teachings set forth by Confucius combined concepts taken from Taoist and Buddhist philosophies. Over the years, the religion developed four, "life passages," including birth, maturity, marriage, and eventually death, which are celebrated moments of development. While some North Americans do practice the religion, most are found throughout China.
What is Philosophy?Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. The term was probably coined by Pythagoras (c. 570-495 BCE). Philosophical methods include questioning, critical discussion, rational argument, and systematic presentation. Classic philosophical questions include: Is it possible to know anything and to prove it? What is most real? Philosophers also pose more practical and concrete questions such as: Is there a best way to live? Is it better to be just or unjust (if one can get away with it)? Do humans have free will?
Who was Philo?Philo of Alexandria (20 BC-50 AD) was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived in Alexandria, in the Roman province of Egypt. Philo used philosophical allegory to harmonize Jewish scripture, mainly the Torah, with Greek philosophy. His method followed the practices of both Jewish exegesis and Stoic philosophy. His allegorical exegesis was important for some Christian Church Fathers, but he had very little reception history within the Rabbinic Judaism. He adopted allegorical instead of literal interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. Some scholars hold that his concept of the Logos as God's creative principle influenced early Christology.
