Understanding the Concept of Confucianism

        The idea behind this philosophy is quite interesting that people should conduct their activities on the basis of moral values and principles, and should come up with relevant changes accordingly rather changing their conduct through the force of law, which is applied by their government. It means that role of government in Confucianism is very simple that government should assist people in developing a society based on ethics, rather applying any rules and laws to follow. Confucius had a strong belief that government should turn to traditions and customs, which were old and based on ethics. The individuals in such society are asked to follow a pattern in life, which governs their propriety and etiquettes. It means that traditions and old customs were valued more than anything else in the idea of Confucianism. In this society, the ones, who believed in following these traditions and values, were considered to be various. This process was also based on the idea of self governance and rectification, where people govern their own selves by following the concepts of morality and ethics. The people must follow an essence of self control, where they stay away from any kind of wrong doings. It means that individuals are not only responsible for themselves; rather they have a collective responsibility as part of a society. It is not that government is not given any particular role to follow as per Confucius philosophy, but those responsibilities of governed are more general in nature as compared to any other political concepts. The government also given few roles to perform such as providing sufficient food, sufficient military equipment as well as they rule in a way that people do have confidence in them [1]

            The Confucius philosophy also has the vision of society, where individuals have some particular roles to perform as per their current position in their society, or as per their personal & familial relationships. This hierarchical system asks individuals to show their behavior and attitude as per their hierarchical position. For instance, the ones, who have subordinate kind of position in a family, they must follow the essence of obedience to their elders. The members of a family, who have higher level positions; they must fulfill the responsibility of showing care for their subordinates, and guide & support them in every possible manner. This role of individuals given to a family and its members is applicable on the whole nation as a collective society. The nation is considered a family, so every individual should perform his/her duty as per his/her hierarchical position in their society. It means that citizens would show the essence of obedience and loyalty to their rulers, and in return rulers will care for their people, and guide them onwards ultimate success and prosperity. There are various ethical principles which are important in Confucius philosophy, but few of them are considered most important such as wisdom, righteousness, fidelity, propriety, and benevolence. These ethical principles not only applies to individuals, but they also apply to rulers, who have to perform the critical role of government in any given society [2]