Primitive Confucianism was inherited from traditional Chinese thoughts in remote antiquity with its emphasis on the maintenance of the nation and social order and self-cultivation. The social philosophical ideals of the Zhou Dynasty (about 11th Century-221BC) are the fundamental base of Confuciun values.

  Important philosophers and their thoughts

Confucius

Confucius sorted out the books and records of the Xia and Shang dynasties (about 21st-11th century BC), and reflected on the Zhou culture, which initiated the broad themes and structure of the Confucian philosophy. His discussions with his disciples, which were recorded into books like The Analects of Confucius, were considered important canons of the philosophy. Confucius created the philosophy of "benevolence", and taught people to exert moral instinct in their daily lives and behaviors, which involve politics, education, and ethics, and also the building of proper relationships among the people. He basically accepted the existence of god and spirits, and thought one should follow the instructions of heaven. However, he took the existence of god and spirits in a very rational way, being rather different from his Western counterparts. Heaven itself reveals ethics, while god and spirits just provide some useful information, but cannot intervene with the Confucius saints. Meanwhile, he also broke away from the previously popular attitude towards heaven based on the gains and losses in everyday life. He advocated a proper relationship between god and people based on rational cognition. The sacredness of heaven is highly valued, but the moral values of heaven are even more emphasized.

Mencius

Mencius, or Mengzi, a book compiled by Mencius and his followers is the most original and lively Confucius canon only second to The Analects of Confucius. In the book he advocated the values humanity and justice, and was for benevolent government. Mencius also had some unique concepts about voluntary self-cultivation. He thought one could find innate good nature with one's own consciousness, i.e., the "good by nature" theory. Therefore, a man's good or evil deeds were both out of one's own realization, and if one were aware of his innate good nature, he would refrain from evil deeds. The tradition has been continuously elaborated upon and extended by all following scholars. The "good by nature" theory also influenced the "Great Vehicle" Buddhism in China, concluding that the nature of Buddha present in every living creature.

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