Ch 4 Blogpost #6

How does Confucius understand the role of the supernatural ---- gods, spirits, and ancestors, for example?

Confucian values focused on the idea that humanity can continuously improve itself, and that each new generation should be better than their previous ancestors were. According to the Mandate of Heaven, Emperors were allowed to rule based on their ability to rule efficiently and correctly. Basically, if an Emperor does a good job and society is prospering, they are adhering to the Mandate. Confucian ideas did not deny the existence of spirits or god, but Confucianism did not focus on appeasing invisible gods, but rather on practicality and "reality". However, Confucianism did advise people to "participate in family and state rituals as if the spirits were present" (172 Ways of the World). Essentially, Confucianism has all of its bases covered in case god and the spirits are real. Confucius believed that the afterlife was beyond human understanding and that was his explanation for not focusing more of his philosophy on spirits and god.