Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism,[1] is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy, religion, theory of government, or way of life.[2] Founded by Confucius in the Hundred Schools of Thought era (c. 500 BCE), Confucianism integrates philosophy, ethics, and social governance, with a core focus on virtue, social harmony, and familial responsibility.[3]
Confucianism emphasizes virtue through self-cultivation and communal effort.[4] Key virtues include ren (仁, “benevolence”), yi (義; “righteousness”), li (禮; “propriety”), zhi (智; “wisdom”), and xin (信; “sincerity”).[5] These values, deeply tied to the notion of tian (天; “Heaven”), present a worldview where human relationships and social order are manifestations of sacred moral principles.[6][7][8] While Confucianism does not emphasize an omnipotent deity, it upholds tian as a transcendent moral order.[9][10][11]
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