What is the philosophical system founded by Confucius called?

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What is the philosophical system founded by Confucius called? The philosophical system founded by Confucius is called Confucianism.

Confucius, known in Chinese as Kong Fuzi, taught in China during the late 6th and early 5th centuries BCE, an era often described as the Hundred Schools of Thought. His teachings focused on ethical conduct, family responsibility, respect for elders, education, and the cultivation of moral character.

Confucianism became both a philosophy of personal behavior and a theory of government. It argued that social harmony depended on people fulfilling their roles responsibly and that rulers should govern through virtue rather than fear alone. Important ideals include ren, often translated as humaneness or benevolence, and li, referring to proper conduct, ritual, and social etiquette.

Confucianism is sometimes called a religion, but it is also described as a tradition, ethical system, or way of life. It is distinct from Daoism, Mohism, and Legalism, although those schools also shaped ancient Chinese thought. Later scholars and texts developed Confucian ideas well beyond Confucius’s lifetime.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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