Sample Essay On What Effects Did Confucian Doctrines Have On Choson Korean Society And Family Life

The Korean culture is distinctive, but as in any, even a very original culture, it is possible to find strong external influence. From Ancient China to Korea came hieroglyphic writing, system organization of the state, architectural styles, methods of housing. In many ways, all of them are related to the Confucian worldview.
This value system has become a fundamental element of life in Korean society in the era of Koguryo (4th century BC). During the period of the Three Kingdoms under the influence of China, Confucianism became the basis of the structure of government and administration. Gradually becoming an integral part of education and culture, the Confucian canon established in the national ideology. During the reign of the Joseon Dynasty in schools and academies training based only on the education of spirituality and worship of ancestors, a period when Confucianism experienced its heyday.
Despite the fact that later, especially after the annexation by Japan, Confucian doctrine has lost its former role foundations of the system of power and control, however, this worldview has had a very noticeable effect way on thinking, customs and habits of Koreans. In the society Confucian canons are inescapable alive, having philosophical, religious, ethical, legal, political value. So, on the one hand, Koreans still respect elder people, value social stability and give credit to education and self-improvement. Here it is possible to focus on the basic ethical norms of Confucianism, followed in Korea. This, above all, "five constancies" or five virtues: kindness, sense of duty, decency, intelligence and honesty. These should be added by so- called "five links": 1) the sovereign and his subjects, master and servant. 2) parents and children. 3) husband and wife; 4) older and younger; 5) between friends. On the other hand, Confucianism is also manifested in more negative consequences, such as excessive idealization of the past, a rigid social hierarchy, as well as an abstract detachment, by virtue of which they prefer to see the world not as it is, and the way it should be.
So, despite the fact that the Korean culture felt the huge amount of foreign influences, the important role of Confucian ideology is not in doubt.