Tchia litman phd8/18/2023 ![]() The books were modified versions of the Confucian classics, with commentary, ideas from Buddhism, ideas from Daoism, and even ideas from other philosophers. The Four Books were a way to detail how a ruler should live and rule in a Neo-Confucian society. Zhu Xi refused to see a Confucian scholar like his father asked him to until he was 30 and could think of new ideas on his own. After seeing the scholar, Zhu Xi decided to write these four books for the rest of his life, dying just three days after his final commentary was written. Each of The Four Books focused on a different topic. Great Learning was the first one, and it focused on the basic ideas of Chinese philosophy and political thinking. It was meant by Zhu Xi to be an “introduction” into the world of Neo-Confucianism. Great Learning described the structure of a Neo-Confucian society, and since it was the most basic of the books, it was enacted in society the most. Doctrine of the Mean was the second one, and it focused on following “the Way” or balance. It explained that acting properly and being “right and natural” is important. It also acknowledged that one can not possibly act properly and be right all of the time, so one should always try to develop their morals (sense of right or wrong). Doctrine of the Mean was a guide for how people should behave in society, and many people followed it in the Song Dynasty. The Analects were Confucius’ teachings and discussions with his students, and it promoted the ideas of filial piety, virtue, and ritual. ![]() The Analects also emphasize devotion to learning. The fourth and final book, Mencius, is a collection of conversations Mencius (another philosopher) had with Confucius. ![]() ![]() Mencius suggests that all humans were born good, but not all humans were born with the instinct to help others in need and they must learn to nurture that instinct. Both the Analects and Mencius were the fine details of how Neo-Confucianism works, and were not as prevalent in society as the previous two. ![]()
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