Confucius And The Patriarchal Clan System In Western Zhou Dynasty

The patriarchal clan system in Western Zhou Dynasty was the fundamental system of the society. The disintegration of the patriarchal clan system was the most fundamental transform in China in the Spring and Autumn Period, in which period Confucius lived. The study of Confucianism should be incorporated with the study of the patriarchal clan system of the society. This paper, beginning with the analysis the contents and characteristics of the patriarchal clan system in Western Zhou Dynasty, discusses the relationship between Confucius and the patriarchal clan system in Western Zhou Dynasty and the relationship between the political and ethical theories of Confucius and the patriarchal clan system in Western Zhou Dynasty by reviewing Confucius' attitudes and reactions towards the destruction of the patriarchal clan system in the Spring and Autumn Period.Patriarchal clan system, the result of the combination of consanguinity and politics, came into being with the birth of Chinese civilization. Through the development in Xia Dynasty and Shang Dynasty, patriarchal clan system matured in Western Zhou Dynasty with the establishment of the lineal primogeniture system as the sign. The patriarchal clan system in Western Zhou Dynasty, taking advantage of consanguinity, integrated the whole society from the lowest level to the highest level and founded a ladder rank system by endowing them different political and clannish rights and obligations according to consanguineous distance. The content of the ritual system in Zhou Dynasty was composed of a series of rules, regulations, ceremonies, and so on, which were based on the patriarchal clan system. The characteristics of the patriarchal clan system in Western Zhou Dynasty are to respect the superior and to stay close to the intimate.But in the Spring and Autumn Period, the patriarchal clan system in Western Zhou Dynasty was seriously destroyed, and the whole society was in a chaos and out of order. Having studied carefully the history of Xia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty and Zhou Dynasty, Confucius regarded Zhou Rites, the ritual system in Zhou Dynasty, as the most perfect one. Confucius resented the chaotic world very much, so he decided to restore the ritual system. In order to achieve his ideal to build a orderly world, Confucius tried to enter an official employment. He was once officially appointed in Lu Kingdom, and he even made a tour around many other kingdoms, hoping to carry out his plan of restoring the ritual system. But his thoughts were rejected by the rulers. At last, Confucius turned to engage in education. The content of education was centered on Zhou Rites, and it was intended to bring up gentlemen conforming to Zhou Rites. In addition, Confucius selected and arranged material for The Book of Poetry, The Classic of Documents, The Book of Rites, The Book of Music, Book of Changes and Spring and Autumn Annals, which were also intended to elaborate Zhou Rites.The political and ethical theories of Confucius were also developed around the patriarchal clan system. Rites mentioned by Confucius referred mainly to Zhou Rites. Confucius' thoughts about rites were intended to restore the ritual ruling order in Zhou Dynasty. Confucius maintained to make everyone understand and keep his position and role without violating the rites. Confucius advocated to govern with rites by disciplining people's behavior according to Zhou Rites. Confucius advocated moral education by ruler's setting example for others. Confucius also believed that Benevolence should be taken into consideration in restoring the ritual system in Zhou Dynasty. The thought of Benevolence was intended to love the people. However this thought should be conducted with different standards for people of different ranks, and the standards and the order of the rank were set by Zhou Rites, i.e. the patriarchal clan system in Western Zhou Dynasty. The doctrine of "selflessness and restoration to the rites" is the overall definition for Benevolence by Confucius. Benevolence is judged by the doctrines of Zhou Rites. In order to maintain the patriarchal clan system, Confucius put a great stress on obedience, and he believed that Obedience was the starting point of Benevolence and that the standards for obedience were also set by Zhou Rites. Besides, The Doctrine of the Mean is also closely related with the patriarchal clan system. All in all, the patriarchal clan system is the base and the core for the political and ethical theories of Confucius.