1. Confucius (孔子, 551–479 BCE)

• Core Philosophy

  • Ren (仁, Benevolence): Moral virtue and humaneness.

  • Li (礼, Ritual Propriety): Social order through ceremonies and ethics.

  • Zhong Yong (中庸, Doctrine of the Mean): Balance in thought and action.

• Key Contributions

  • Compiled the Six Classics, forming Confucian canon.

  • Pioneered private education, advocating “Education Without Discrimination” (有教无类).

• Historical Significance

  • Established Confucian ethics as China’s moral foundation.

• Enduring Influence

  • Shaped East Asian cultures (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam) for over 2,000 years.

2. Mencius (孟子, 372–289 BCE)

• Core Philosophy

  • Innate Goodness of Human Nature (性善论): Humans are born virtuous but require cultivation.

  • Benevolent Governance (仁政): Rulers must prioritize people’s welfare.

  • People-Centered Politics (民本思想): “The people are most important, the state next, the ruler least.”

• Key Contributions

  • Authored the Mencius (孟子), expanding Confucian political theory.

• Historical Significance

  • Inspired later reformers (e.g., Wang Anshi) with his idealistic governance model.

• Enduring Influence

  • Central to Neo-Confucianism during the Song-Ming dynasties.

3. Xunzi (荀子, 310–235 BCE)

• Core Philosophy

  • Human Nature is Evil (性恶论): Virtue is learned through rituals and laws.

  • Integration of Li and Fa (礼法并用): Blended Confucian ethics with Legalist pragmatism.

  • Naturalistic Heaven (天行有常): Rejected superstition, emphasized rational governance.

• Key Contributions

  • Systemized Confucian realism in Xunzi (荀子).

• Historical Significance

  • Laid groundwork for Han Dynasty’s “Confucian-Legalist Syncretism” (外儒内法).

• Enduring Influence

  • Indirectly shaped China’s imperial examination system and bureaucratic traditions.