Understanding the Ideal of Confucian Philosophy

This article has two main two parts, the first being an examination of the geographical, historical, and intellectual background of Confucius. By analyzing the moral notions of his predecessors and discerning to what extent he accepted or modified these, we hope to reconstruct Confucius’ global view which is essential for an in depth understanding of his ethics. The second part analyses the ideals of Confucian philosophy embodied in the Sage, the Good man and the Gentleman, and their moral qualities. P assages from the Analects are frequently cited throughout the article to give readers a direct feel of early Confucian thought.