Abstract
The purpose of the present chapter is to highlight the importance and functions of the 'Sacred'1 in Confucius's philosophy. It takes Herbert Fingarette's interpretation of Confucius's2 endeavour as 'The Secular as Sacred', as a starting point for the discussion. The core of the paper consists of the analysis of Confucius's attitude towards spirits, gods and ritual as it appears in Lunyu (Confucian Analects). 3 It is followed by the analysis of Mircea Eliade's interpretation of the 'Sacred-Profane' dichotomy that provides a little different perspective on the same subject matter. In conclusion, it attempts to determine if Confucian goal was to make the secular (natural) sacred (supernatural), or maybe quite opposite, to make the sacred (supernatural), secular (natural)...?
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Understanding the Unknown |
| Publisher | Brill |
| Pages | 11-22 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781848884397 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789004374775 |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Jul 2019 |
Keywords
- Chinese philosophy
- Confucianism
- Religion
- Ritual
- Sacrum-profanum