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Paul Guse History 111 Prof. Feipel 10-15-03 Chinese philosophy is a blend of the idealistic and realistic, the ethical yet metaphysical. It is neither this worldly, nor otherworldly, neither inward nor outward. It always keeps a balance between the two, a sort of golden mean. ?Chinese philosophy has one main tradition, one main stream of thought; that is, to aim at a particular kind of highest life.? This kind of highest life is not removed from daily regular activities, and yet at the same time, ?it goes straight to what is beyond the heaven.? Confucianism was developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, who were concerned with the principles of good conduct, practical wisdom, and proper social relationships. Although Confucianism became the official ideology of the Chinese state, it has never existed as an established religion with a church and priesthood. Chinese scholars honored Confucius as a great teacher and sage but did not worship him as a personal god, nor did Confucius himself ever claim divinity. Confucianism is a philosophy or attitude that is concerned with human beings, their achievements and interests, rather that with the abstract beings. ?In Confucianism man is the center of the univ