Question

What mutual responsibilities does Confucianism define for the emperor and his subjects? Identify roles and responsibilities of both emperors and their subjects.

Answer 1

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

The mutual responsibilities that Confucianism define for the emperor and his subjects were the following.

Emperors had the role to be educators. Their responsibilities were to offer proper education to its people and transform them into better individuals who could help other people. Emperors should never force laws and regulations to force people to get an education or to do something against their will. Confucianism appealed to the high moral values that emperors had to show. They were the ones that have to set the example. On the other hand, subjects have to accept these changes and transformations that were set to develop them into better subjects that could improve the life and conditions of the empire. Subjects should show reciprocity and follow through once the Emperor was the first to live by example.