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.