Question

What is the role of ritual in Confucian Ethics?

Answer 1

In Confucian Ethics rituals has an profound place. Rituals play an important role in Confucian Ethics. Rituals designate the conduct and behaviour of the people in general. Confucius says that rituals are not about sacrifice or getting blessings from God but ceremonies performed by people embodying civilise and cultural patterns through generations of human wisdom. They were the basis for keeping harmony and social order intact. Confucian Ethics also believes that these rituals help shaping a stable and cultural and civilized society. These rituals set the very basis of the mutual relationship among the people.