Confucianism Studies In The Perspective Of Sociology Of Religion

There are two threads in this thesis:the development of sociological research methods and the change of Confucianism studies. On the basis of reviews and reflections on Confucian Studies in the related literature, this thesis explores the actual state of Confucianism in ancient and contemporary China using theoretical and empirical research methods.Following these threads, in Part I we will explore the historical status of Confucianism with early sociological questions and methodologies. Through the reviews of Confucianism from the perspectives of sinology studies, types of rationality and structural-functionalism, the inheritance mechanism, religiosity and relations with other social aspects will be revealed, and it leads to the conclusion that Confucianism is a quasi-religion in traditional Chinese society.In Part II, this thesis offers a case study of contemporary Confucianism, by using the new research paradigm of sociology of religion. Since Confucianism has lost political identity as the traditional society fell apart, leaving a vague image in contemporary society. However, as time changes. Chinese government and civil organizations are calling for the Confucianism to rise again. To understand the real status of contemporary Confucianism, this thesis offers a case-study concentrating on the Confucianism academies in Qufu. The reason to choose Qufu academies is that Qufu draws attention of both governmental agencies and civil organization, as it is the cradle of Confucianism and exchange center for Confucian scholars, making the Confucianism in Qufu representative and typical; while academy is the platform for propagating Confucianism, through which we can observe the complicated relations between Confucianism, government agencies and other religions.The academic exploration of this thesis is significant, because the changes of Confucianism reflect the changes between the traditional Chinese society and the modern one. Studying the Confucianism which is regarded as "traditional culture", on one hand makes it easier to comprehend the mechanism that Confucianism interact with other social subsystems and find our the real influence it impose upon traditional society; on the other hand, a in-depth case study grant us an opportunity to find the breakthrough on dealing with cultural and religious issues in the transition of modern China.