As I read your remarkable commentary, I think of other material I've read that indicts Confucianism for holding China back from progress. I know this attitude has gone sort of full circle, and the current (official) attitude in China is that tradition, as embodied especially by Confucianism, is important for reinforcing positive social values. But then I think of scholars, such as Cai Yuanpei who worked to eliminate Confucian studies from schools because he thought it prevented China from moving forward. As you write about it, the writings of Confucius have much wisdom, and yet these writings held such sway over a civilization for centuries, and not always with good effect. Your analysis is absorbing and thought-provoking. But I can't help connecting these words and your analysis with Confucianism's long, complicated history. Good read. I'll be back.
I remember when I took African Asian history last year we learned about Confucianism. I believe that the more "enlightened traditional free thought" ideas presented by Confucius were contrary to what the first emperor Qin Shi Huangdi had in mind for China. As a result, I believe his administration attempted to control thought by taking a more legalist approach. They tried to get rid of all but one copy of each book. The remaining "final" copy was held in an emperial library. It has been a year since I took this class, so I might be misguided, but I think that's what I remember. So, that is a little example of an event from "Confucianism's long, complicated history." Thanks for this quality comment! I look forward to seeing you in the future!
Thank you for your reply! I once wrote a book, read by no one (that's my hobby, writing books no one reads) about Chinese literati art. I remember reading that the emperor buried 460 Confucian scholars alive. I'm not sure if this is apocryphal, but Mayo once referred to it in a speech so the story has some legitimacy in China. I think, Confucianism had a hold on the people that no emperor, no ruler could stamp out. It is easy to burn books, but killing ideas, that's quite another thing. I'm amazed by your project. Such work, and understanding of an ancient philosophy.