Asian History: Confucius, Zhou Political And Social Ideals

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Title: Asian History
This essay will argue in favor of the view that Confucius was more of a traditionalistthan an innovator. He was traditionalist because he loved learning and acquiring knowledge pertaining to the ancient Zhou culture(Nivison, 1996). Moreover, he loved studying Zhou traditions which comprised of ceremonies, customs and ancient literature. In fact, Confucius pre-occupied himself with the study of antiquity. His study of antiquity was steadfast due to his great desire and advocacy for the reinstatement of the ancient Zhou ceremonies and customs(Ivanhoe, 2002). Confuciusbelieved that reinstatement to ancient antiquity was the ideal remedy for the political menace of his time. Therefore his passion for the study of antiquity is proof that he was indeed more of a traditionalist than an innovator. Not only did he believe in and practice ancient customs and ceremonies, but he alsotaught his followers to do the same(Ivanhoe, 2002).This is areflection of his passion to propagate his cultural traditional views to the future generations. Besides his traditionalist views, Confucius also held conservative ideas that are evident from his quest to preserve the traditional Zhou dynasty traditional and cultural heritage. For instance, he advocated for the restoration of ancient social order and political hierarchy in Zhou dynasty. His agitation for restoration of ceremonial order in the Zhou period clearly signifies that he was a traditionalist(Nivison, 1996). He was alarmed by the quick decline of the Zhou traditional aristocracy, order and values, which he believed were critical for attainment social-political progress(Nivison, 1996).
Another proof that indeed he was a traditionalist is his vehement opposition to the replacement of the ancient aristocratic Zhou system with a more centralizedbureaucratic system of government (Ivanhoe, 2002).Though he lived during a period of socio-political transformation, his views were largely anti-transformation due to his fervent believe in the need to preserve the ancient order and way of doing things(Nivison, 1996). He maintained that the ancient order was necessary for progress, and that interference was retrogressive. He advocated for the conservation of culture, customs, ceremonies and other forms of traditions that exemplified the Zhou dynasty(Nivison, 1996). Thus he stated that preservation of institutions such as the family was necessary to ensure propagation of these values and ideals to the futures generations.Although at one point, he perceived that restoration of ancientculture, customs and values was a simple exercise, years later, he acknowledged that no quick fix measure could realize this endeavor as it was complicated and unattainable in a short period of time(Ivanhoe, 2002).
Although he later departed from the Zhou traditional practices in pursuit of moral general principles, he still was more of a traditionalist than a moral realist as his work and thoughts had a cultural traditional perspective(Nivison, 1996). He was highly critical of anyone regardless of the socio-political status if they he perceived that they fell short of his moral principles. These principlesencomp...