The Confucian Podcast confucianism

Confucianism is linked to filial piety, though not as closely as is often assumed. Yet, a key passage from the Analects shows the relationship between respect for parents and the social order.

Confucius advocated the ritualized social order developed by the Zhou Dynasty. This episode explores how that system worked and makes the connection to Benevolence and ranked systems of status in contemporary American social life. 

Comparison of the Chinese concept of li and Western social scientists' work on ritual allows insights into what Confucius was up to. 

Continuing the exploration of ritual, this episode begins to make connections to Western social science theory.

Whereas in Western theory, ritual is usually treated as an afterthought, Ruists appreciated the importance of ritual for social functioning. This episode makes the case that the connection between ritual and benevolence is basic to Confucian thought. 

A critical examination of Confucian conceptions of power