Question

What were the five classes (in order) of society during the “Neo-Confucian” era?

Answer 1

During the Neo-Confucian era, the social structure was hierarchal with the yangban at the top, followed by scholar clans, free peasants, artisans, and slaves at the bottom.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Neo-Confucian Social Hierarchy

The social structure during the Neo-Confucian era, particularly in places influenced by Confucian principles like Korea during the Joseon Dynasty and China from the Song Dynasty through the Qing Dynasty, can be characterized by a rigid hierarchy. At the very top were the rulers and the yangban, a ruling elite of civil bureaucrats and military officials. Next came the scholar clans, a cultivated middle range aristocracy. The free peasants or “antmin” who worked the land followed. Artisans had their own distinct level and were generally above the peasants. The educated classes, including scribes and imperial recordkeepers, held a higher social status. Finally, at the lowest tier of society were the slaves or “Nu Bi”.

Summary of Social Classes in Order:

Yangban (Ruling elite of civil bureaucrats and military officials)

Scholar clans (Middle range aristocracy)

Free peasants (Agrarian workers)

Artisans (Craftspeople and tradespeople)

Slaves (Enslaved individuals with no freedom or rights)

Answer 2

In Neo-Confucian era the five social classes or orders in the family are ruled to ruled, father to son, husband to wife, elder brother to younger brother and friend to friend.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Neo-Confucian era the social hierarchy or classes were made in the family on basis of relationship. That family bonding was described as ruled to ruled, father-son, husband to wife, elder brother to younger brother and friend to friend. Each of the class has their own sets of responsibility.

In a family each class has its own responsibilities and accountability to others like elder brother, father and husband has duty and responsibility to his subordinate like younger brother, son and wife respectively.