Relevancy of Confucianism to Singapore Society

CONFUCIUS
Confucius was born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu (modern day Shantung Province). He lived during the Chou dynasty. Later in life, he wandered through many states of China, giving advice to their rulers. He accumulated a small band of students during this time. The last years of his life were spent back in Lu, where he devoted himself to teaching.
His writings deal primarily with individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power by the rulers.
INTRODUCTION OF CONFUCIANISM
Confucianism is not a religion but a form of philosophy. Confucianism is an East Asian ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the early Chinese sage Confucius. It is a complex system of moral, social, political, and religious thought which had tremendous influence on the history of Chinese civilization up to the 21st century.
Confucianism has impacted and influenced the following countries which include China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan as well as Singapore where most ethnic Chinese resided.

CORE CONCEPTS OF CONFUCIANISM
Rites
"Rite" (礼; Lǐ) possessed the meaning of "sacrifice. The meaning varies from politeness and propriety to the understanding of everybody's position in society.
Ritual is used to distinguish between the statuses of people as well as to indicate people’s duty amongst others and what are expected of them. It can be seen as a means to find the balance between contradictory qualities that lead to conflict.
People are divided into different grouping to form hierarchical relationships through set of rules and ceremonies, allocating everyone a position in the society with a form of corrective behavior.
Filial Piety
“Filial piety” (孝; xiào) is one of the greatest of virtues to be shown towards both the living and the dead. The term "filial", meaning "of a child", denotes the respect and obedience that a child, should show to his parents. This relationship was extended by analogy to a series of five relationships or five cardinal relationships (五伦 Wǔlún):
1. ruler and subject (君臣),
2. father and son (父子),
3. husband and wife (夫婦),
4. elder and younger brother (兄弟),
5. between friends (朋友)
Specific duties were prescribed to each of the participants in these sets of relationships
Loyalty
Loyalty (忠; zhong) is equivalent to filial piety but held in relation between ruler and minister. It was particularly relevant for the social class. Loyalty was often challenged by the autocratic regimes. Confucius had advocated a sensitivity to the real politics of the class relations that existed in his time; he did not propose that "might makes right", but that a superior who had received the "Mandate of Heaven" should be obeyed because of his moral righteousness.

Humanity
Humanity (仁; rén) is best expressed in the Confucian Golden Rule phrase: "Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you". It relate to individual development in the context of relationships. Ritual and filial piety are actions in form of humaneness.
Humanity also undertakes the basis of Confucian political theory. An autocratic ruler who acts and reigns inhumanely toward his subjects are not entitled to rule. In contrary, a ruler who acts and reigns humanely should be obeyed by his subjects.

CONFUCIAN CONCEPTS ON SINGAPORE SOCIETY & ORGANISATIONS Confucius teachings had deeply impacted philosophically, culturally, socially, economically and politically in China, HongKong, Korea, Taiwan as well as Singapore. SINGAPORE SOCIETY & CULTURE

Singapore is a multi-ethnic society where Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions coexist. Therefore the concept of group, harmony and mutual security are more important than that of the individual. Singapore is a democratic society however they still retain strong hierarchical relationships that can be observed in the relationship between parents and children, teachers and students, and employers and employees. The dependence on hierarchy is extract from Confucianism’s concept (礼; rites) that emphasizes the respecting of age and status. Singaporeans are educated to treat the elderly with utmost respect and courtesy. Elders are usually given more privileges, presented first, given preferential seating and choices of food. Each individual should give consideration to the elderly even if you do not know them personally.
The Confucianism’s concept (孝; Filial piety) are also adopted in Singapore to denote the respect and obedience of a child to his/her parents. Children must take up the responsibility to look after or support their parents financially should the need arises.
Respecting for the elderly and seeing the family members as the person one goes to for support, it helps to retain core values in Singapore and prevent the future generations in becoming more individualistic.
SINGAPORE ORGANISATIONS
Confucianism is acknowledged by Singapore’s Senior Minister and Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew that has assisted them in formation of Singapore’s economic and social policies. This serves to remind us how sometimes ancient philosophies still work to bring economic success and a peaceful society.
Confucius who was born in 551 BCE lived in the war era in China where the nations are run by feudal lords. He was aware on how a successful civilization should work, how the rulers should rule and how to go about maintaining relationships. His resolution was to attain harmony which is similar to the Chinese symbol Ying and Yang, that everything possessed opposing qualities in order to strike a balance.
He believed that stability can be attained for nations if the two way flows of responsibilities co-exist between: the subjects and the government. The subjects’ duties to toil for the development of the state would be equalized by the government's duty to show its concern and provide welfare for their subjects. If the subjects experience care and concern from the government, they would be elated to be reign under and will be loyal to the government (忠; Loyalty). Corruption will less likely take place. Indeed, Singapore is fairly corruption free which is the closest living example of Confucianism and a traditional Chinese society at work.
Confucius supported democracy that functions participation and sharing instead of insisting of one’s rights. Confucian values are best applied in the democratic society instead of an authoritarian society. This has allowed the East Asia Region being the world fastest growing economies.
The “family-oriented” relationship practices in Asian companies are an example of Confucianism at work. l By taking good care of the welfare of its employees, they will be happier working for the good of the company. This family orientation also manifests itself in the lifetime employment policies.
Confucius' concepts in decreasing legal formality are not so relevant in Singapore. Laws are not utilized to dominate people in the Asian tiger economies but rather when there is a conflict, Confucian resolution such as compromising, harmony, negotiating and finding consensus are adopted instead. This is totally different from the traditional common and civil law systems in the west. This is also the reason why corruption and nepotism will arise. Singapore however implemented laws and rules for Singaporean to abide to.
Confucianism takes human nature in consideration. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of trust, morality as well as education. It stops people from doing things that is not right and encourage good set of connections, attain business success and community spirit.