On the one hand, it seems that Confucianism is essentially an ethical way of life and a way of ordering society. On the other hand, it seems that Confucianism is an authentic spiritual pathway.
It seems to me that Confucianism is an ethical way of life as compared to the Ten Commandants followed by the western religion. Thus, my response is both.
Here are some articles about Confucianism:
Shun, K. L. (1997). Mencius and early Chinese thought.
Weber, M., & Gerth, H. H. (1953). The Religion of China, Confucianism and Taoism.
Creel, H. G. (1949). Confucius and the Chinese way.
Ames, R. T. (2011). Confucian role ethics: A vocabulary. Chinese University Press.
Roetz, H. (1993). Confucian ethics of the axial age. A Reconstruction under the Aspect of the.
Adler, J. A. (2002). Chinese religions. London: Routledge.
It could be both. I feel that it is more on how it is applied rather than by definition. Philosophy is more like a motto where as religion is the reason for every action in one's personal life (sin or righteousness). Philosophy can have a right or a wrong but it is much more flexible or liberal in the fact that it recognizes that the understanding is not the same. It gets complicated because philosophy can be applied religiously and vice versa. For example, people can have "christian values" and not be religious. Or people can be philosophical but believe that there is only one philosophy and it must be lived exactly. Confucianism could be a philosophy and a religion depending on the person applying it. However, can one person be both? I would personally say yes because I feel like I could define myself in the category of both philosophical and religious, seeing them as one and the same even with the different sects of either category. Believing there is truth in all things and that there is a just God. I cannot possibly know the mind of another and am not whole myself. Thus, my philosophy has become my religion but my religion has influenced my philosophy. However even the definition I put myself in may not be correct because other people may define me as I have defined another being truly philosophical or truly religious ( ..."christian values" ...only one philosophy and it must be lived exactly.). Thus, as someone who cannot be a true judge of another, divine guidance is necessary through wise people and divinity if one believes in an ethereal being.
Confucianism can be both philosophy as well as a religious system. Confucianism as philosophy instructs how to live in a good way with principles of duty and honor etc. through ethical teachings. Both Confucianism and Taoism are aspects understood in the Christian Bible with ethical and spiritual teachings.
Does religious experience have cognitive status, involving encounter with a being(s), or with a power that transcends human consciousness, or is it merely subjecetive and composed entirely of ideas and feelings that have no reference beyond themselves? If Confucianism answers this question in the affirmative, then, it could be said to be a religion, but if no is the answer, then, philosophy, we know, emphasizes the use of reason and critical thinking without reference to revelations and dreams.
Confucius held Government was through the ruler's perspective with religious ceremonies to fulfill moral duties. The Mandate of Heaven (Analects) bound dynasties in a supernatural community and was reinforced by Confucius. For example, an angry God could impose natural disasters such as flooding or earthquakes. Confucianism is also a moral philosophy and integrated into Chinese politics. There is a religious element to Confucianism and strong philosophical tone of good conduct, obedience, personal behaviors, elders, ancestors, etc.
Thank you, Arthur, Jorge, Chloe, Susan, and Williams, for your valuable insights!
Confucianism is a philosophy and not much of a religion but a socio-economic political reorganization of the Chinese culture and values.
it is a philosophy because a religion must cover almost all aspect of life and confucianism does not have enough essence to be called a religion
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