Neo-Confucianism

Neo-Confucianism Neo-Confucianism is the revival of Confucianism that had a large influence in the Song dynasty. The supporters of this idea believed that cultivating personal morality is the highest goal. Neo-Confucanism had a large effect on intellectual life in China during the Song dynasty. There were new schools of philosphy and libraries built for the study of classical texts. Its mainly emphasizes hostility to foriegn influences (Buddhism and Daoism especially) and tradition. This hostility towards foriegn ideas made rulers of the Song less eager to adopt outside ideas. Neo-Confucianism was one of the main forces that eventually slowed down learning and adoption of technology of the Chinese elite. They strongly emphasized class, gender, and age distinctions and placed a great importance on the patriarch. They also believed that the main way to prepare for the future was by studying the past.

http://faculty.washington.edu/mkalton/NeoConfucianism.htm http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/

Unit 4 Terms

Created by Danielle Fishman on 11/9/08 Edited by Becca Ellison on 11/9/08 Edited by Allie Pinosky: 11.09.08 Edited by Kelly Herring 11.10.08