History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China HPC 20. Heaven Can Wait: Ritual and Religion in Confucianism
Dec 29, 2024
Explore the intriguing relationship between Confucianism, ritual practices, and religious beliefs. The hosts unpack Shunzi's complex funeral rites and highlight the varied rituals in society, from war dances to royal ceremonies. They debate whether Confucian practices reflect true religious belief or are simply cultural traditions. The conversation also touches on the role of music in promoting social harmony and self-cultivation, while examining different perspectives on heaven's nature and its impact on moral conduct.
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Detailed Funeral Rites From Shunzi
- The Shunzi gives a vivid step-by-step account of funeral rites from washing the corpse to three years of mourning.
- These concrete prescriptions show ritual as communal practice rather than theological explanation.
Ritual As Expression, Not Theology
- Shunzi's ritual descriptions omit theological claims about souls, gods, or guaranteed supernatural effects.
- He treats ritual as tradition that expresses relationships, not as a means to secure divine outcomes.
From Transactional Spirits To Reserved Ritual
- Earlier Shang divination shows a transactional view where humans negotiated with spirits for resources and protection.
- This contrasts with later Confucian restraint toward expecting direct influence from spirits.
