...The Ideal Human a Cording To Confucianism Rel 133 January 30, 2012 Elizabeth Reedy This is the ideal human a cording to Confucianism; this is a guideline of a social group, a individual that is converted in to perfection is one that has a mixer of ren, li, shu, Xiao and wen. The ideal human is define as junzi it is interpret as a “superior person or noble person” as it writing in the text book. When defining the ideal person one most look at all essence of the person. Confucian look at relationships to signify the ideal person, to the elder brother-younger brother, the elder brother is responsible for the younger sibling in how they are raised. The relationship with the husband-wife the husband is the protector of the wife, and the wife is the homemaker and mother. The gift-giving plays a great role in strengthen relationships. Confucian ideals are the inward expression of Ren. Confucius believed that human are good at the core. Li is Confucian virtues of ethics and is a part of the commonly called the five constant virtues of Confucianism. In the Shu this is how my action affect is the other person. With the Xiao this means valuing the family and is for the family’s welfare. The term wen means culture this is the development of the arts. When these are all in operation this is the ideal human a cording to Confucianism. One a person meets all the virtues in Confucianism they are the ideal human. Thinking of other before them self, having the up most respect for their...
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...Confucianism REL/133 July 20, 2015 Joseph Butryn Confucianism Five Great Relationships Relationships in Confucianism are very important and are recognized according to their hierarchy. They start with the father-son relationship, then the elder brother-younger brother relationship, husband-wife relationship, elder-younger relationship, and finally the ruler-subject relationship. The Five Great Relationships signify that each person must live up to his or her social role and social status (Molloy, 2013). Ideal Person Confucianism believes in becoming an ideal or perfect person. This perfect person is the junzi (chün tzu)—a term usually translated as “superior person,” although a better translation may be “noble person” (Molloy, 2013). In such a noble human being the Confucian ideals have been inculcated since childhood, and the virtues have been practiced for so long that the whole Confucian manner of relating to the world has become completely natural (Molloy, 2103). Role of Confucianism It has not been easy for Confucianism to exist in the modern world. China even began to move away from it. Confucianism was accused of enslaving women to their fathers and husbands, of subjugating sons to tyrannical fathers, and of keeping alive a culture and literature that only looked to the past (Molloy, 2013). However it seems now there might be a turnaround for Confucianism. Rather than dying, Confucianism is possibly beginning a new stage in its long life (Molloy...
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...Lee Skinner ( Person # 37646847 ) World Civilization 1 William Newsome Ramya Sreenivasan The Treatment of Confucianism and Daoism The treatment of Confucianism and Daoism are seen abundantly throughout The Chinese Maize Murders. Many social values of Confucianism are portrayed through Judge Dee, the hero of the novel. The novel portrays the Confucians as having rulers with impeccable intellect and knowledge. The Daoist is viewed as people that do not value thought and education,” Knowledge is bad because it creates distinctions.”( Craig textbook, pg 54) This is supported by the Dragon and Worm analogy in the story. The novel ultimately endorses the values of Confucianism. This is exemplified through the main character Judge Dee and is supported by the fact that the three main conflicts of the story are solved by Confucian thinking and reasoning. The relationship between these two philosophies is seen as Confucianism learning from the thoughts of Daoism. Judge Dee is the ideal Confucian. He rules with rich morals and deeply thought out justice. The Confucian idea that the smartest men should rule is shown through Judge Dee. He is a brilliant man that uses his wit and knowledge to solve case after case. He uses violence when he has to but he prefers to outsmart his opposition to resolve conflict, just as the thoughts of Confucianism state. He demonstrates the Confucian ideas of proper conduct, compassion, generosity and righteousness. Throughout the story he holds up to these...
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...perfect person through concepts such as ren, li, shu, xiao, and wen. A person must work towards these items to achieve Chun-Tzu, which is an exemplification of ideal virtue. Ren is virtue and humanity. When developing ren, one must develop a cultivation of feeling emphasizing respect, empathy, compassion, and love for all humanity and all people. This is extremely important because it places care in one’s heart and helps them overcome the negative exterior. Ren is an excellent quality to have and in Confucianism, it helps lead to the ideal human being. Li is propriety and proper conduct. This is doing what is right. This is treating people with courtesy and respect. Without Li, one cannot be the ideal person because they will lose their ability to respond to other human beings. In Confucianism it is essential to do what is right and exhibit proper conduct in order to become the ideal person. Shu is known as the Golden Rule and it emphasizes reciprocal actions and effects. Shu is one of the most important teachings of Confucianism. This is basically treating people the way you would like to be treated. Shu emphasizes an attitude towards others that reflects what one wants as a reciprocal. This is another essential element in becoming the ideal person. Xiao is filial piety. It reflects the dutiful relationship that a child has towards a parent. A person who embodies filial piety acts and feels in a way that one should feel towards their own parent. This person cares for...
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...human being becomes a full person through the contributions of other people and through fulfilling one’s obligations (Molloy, 2012 pg.17)”. In the Confucianism tradition, there are many values and beliefs; including the five great relationship; the ideal way a Confucian should act; and the role of Confucianism in the China culture in today society. In the Confucianism tradition, social roles and relationship are imperative in the culture. The Confucius’s perfect society live according to the ethics of the five relationship; which includes are father and son, Elder and younger brother, husband and wife, elder and younger, and ruler and subject. In the father and son relationship, the father has compassion for his children and is responsible for their education. The children must be submissive and loyal to their parents. In the elder and younger brother relationship, the oldest brother holds the responsibility for taking care of his younger siblings, and the younger brother must respect and obey his oldest brother. The husband and wife relationship consist of the husband being the protector of the family, and the wife is the homemaker and mother in the family. In the elder and younger relationship, the elder’s obligation are supporting the younger individuals. In the ruler and subject relationship, the ruler is considered to be a father figure and responsible for taking care of the subject that is considered to be his children. The ideal Confucians is known as the Junzi, The...
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...UCOR 2500-01 12-7-15 Ideals of Living The ancient philosophers present differing views on how a life should be lived. Both Socrates and Confucius prescribe a way to live the best life, but their reasons for doing so vary. Socratic philosophy is based on the pursuit of wisdom leading to the separation of the soul from the body. Confucian philosophy describes the path to become an exemplary person, which draw on the lessons of history and community. In comparing their beliefs, we can learn life lessons that are of benefit in the here and now and others that are more esoteric. In the Socratic philosophy of soul and body separation, Socrates maintains that the separation of the soul and body is the end goal of a philosopher’s life. He goes so far as to say that a philosopher ought to welcome death, as it is the culmination of one’s life. He is then asked why suicide is not an option, if a philosopher welcomes death. Socrates rebuts by saying that we are the possessions of our creators, “…would you not be angry if one of your possessions killed itself when you had not given any sign that you wished it to die.” (P. 99) Socrates continues to expand his philosophy by supporting why a philosopher would welcome death. He states that in death, “…I should go first to other wise and good gods, and then to the men who have died and are better than men are here. Be assured, that as it is, I expect to join the company of good men.” (P. 100) Socrates argues that a philosopher who has...
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..."Master K'ung." The terms "Confucianism" and "Confucian" are not meaningful terms in Chinese. They are Western terms, coined in Europe as recently as the 18th century. As we dive deeper into this paper on Confucianism we will learn about the Five Great Relationships and the role of Confucianism in Chinese culture and society today. Five great Relationships According to Confucius, each person had a specific place in society and certain duties to fulfill. Confucius hoped that if people knew what was expected of them they would behave correctly. Therefore, he set up five principal relationships in which most people are involved. These relationships were (1) ruler and subject; (2) father and son; (3) elder brother and younger brother; (4) husband and wife; and (5) friend and friend. All, except the last, involve the authority of one person over another. Power and the right to rule belong to superiors over subordinates; that is, to older people over younger people, to men over women. Each person has to give obedience and respect to "superiors"; the subject to his ruler, the wife to her husband, the son to his parents, and the younger brother to the older brother. The "superior," however, owes loving responsibility to the inferior. How is the idea person to act? The ideal person would act like the Junzi. A Junzi taught person would have been taught virtue from a young age, thus these ideals are completely innate. They would have been...
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...Convergence of the Confucian Ethics and the Rituals: Examining the Esthetic Culture within Li Ye In Christopher Kwon A&I: Confucius and His Critics Professor Seungjoo Yoon November 21, 2014 Confucius remarks, “In referring time and again to observing ritual propriety (li), how could I just be talking about gifts of jade and silk? In referring time and again to making music (yue), how could I just be talking about bells and drums?” There is an implied intersection between arts and ethical morality in Confucian thoughts. The arts allow one, a particular student, to enrichment of self-cultivation, observance of the esthetic aspect of the ritual propriety, and the development of an artistic expression of the self- that is subject to ethical and moral questions; therefore, artistic work such as the traditional Chinese calligraphy (though not music) is an exhibition of Confucian moral quintessence that embody one’s character and the corporeality. The Analects place a great deal of importance on ritual propriety and the practice thereof. More specifically implicated within this context is the appreciation of arts such as music, poetry, and archery. To the extent to which Michael Nylan and Thomas Wilson elevate Confucius as the “Exalted King of Culture,” the cultural and artistic aspect of the rituals is significant in Confucianism. In defense of his fervent advocacy of the esthetic culture, Confucius refers to the Zhou Dynasty that “looked back to the Xia and Shang Dynasties...
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...Confucian Humanism Magdalena A. Villaba If one word could characterize Chinese civilization, it would be Humanisn. Humanism is taken to generally mean- that man and his activities are given great importance. Thus, it is said that one of the characteristics of Chinese thought is this- worldliness- in other words, greater attention to life in this world. Humanism’s emphasis is on man’s self- dependence rather than dependence in heaven or the ancestors. In fact, it was a humanism that professes the utility of man and heaven. It is in this sense that humanism has dominated Chinese thought from the dawn of history. Humanism is an outgrowth of historical and social change. To understand Confucius, it is necessary to realize what sort of a world he lived in. He is criticized as having been too much interested in the orderly arrangement of affairs, but it must be remembered that he was trying to bring order out of something close to chaos. To hold his revolutionary ideas and to talk to them as he freely did in a world where these were extremely dangerous gave life adventure enough. Chinese history starts with the Shang dynasty. This civilization suffered a setback when in 1122 B.C., according to traditional chronology, the Shang were conquered by a coalition of relatively rude tribesmen. The conquerors were led by the Chou people who established the Chou dynasty. The invaders pushed their conquest to cover a considerable portion of North China, but it was impossible for them to administer...
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...King.” Confucianism is based on Confucius belief that all persons are capable of doing good. The core idea of Confucianism is humanitarianism, and it is often thought of as a system that regulate social groups. However, according to Molloy (2013), “Confucianism is not just the ideal of an orderly society but also the ideal of a perfect human being” (p. 230). With this information, the paper will provide information on the five great relationships according to Confucianism, the ideal person act, and the role of Confucianism in Chinese culture and society today. The Five Great Relationships According to Confucianism, relationships are perceived to be a combination of individuals interwoven, and exist as a unit despite inequalities. However, these differences give rise to the development of different class of relationships which are divided into five groups such as: • Father and son – Confucians see family as the foundation of existence and the father and son relationship as the core (Molloy, 2013, p. 231). Parents have the responsibility to provide and lay a foundation for their children. Children should at all times be respectful to their parents, and when the parents are old, children are obligation to care for them. • Older and younger brother – An older brother is expected to assume the responsibility of helping to care for his younger siblings, and the younger siblings are supposed to be obedient. This relationship is designed in the event their father pass then the older...
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...attitudes and behaviors of millions of people worldwide.(Coogan, 1998) The contemporary issues can be understood by examining the common characteristics of Confucianism and other eastern religions, analyzing the interactions between the modern world and Confucianism, and studying how those interactions influence Confucianism and the modern world. Common Characteristics Among Eastern Religions Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are three religions that make up the essence of traditional, Chinese culture. While all three religions have differences, the religions also share fundamental elements such as purpose, principle, and teachings that have created a strong and long lasting way of life for the Chinese culture. When comparing religions a person can deduce that all religions have a purpose and follow a specific set of rules, guidelines, and traditions. The vessel that leads each individual to their ultimate purpose can be different, as well as where the instructions originate from. The similar purpose of these Eastern religions is for the attainment of inner harmony with self and nature.(Coogan, 1998) This purpose can be achieved by living by a set of principles. The principles of these religions vary slightly but essentially, all lead to the same path. These principles teach believers to learn...
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...Questioning vs. Acceptance, Truth vs. Balance: A Comparison of East and West Canyon Law Western cultures have historically differed greatly from their far Eastern counterparts in several ways, be it in lifestyle, government, or worldview. These noticeable differences can be attributed to the West’s and East’s own unique philosophical backgrounds. While Western philosophers such as Locke, John Stuart Mill, and Socrates put large emphasis on the ideals of questioning authority in the search for truth, Eastern dogma—as reflected by Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism—assert very different, conflicting values focused on acceptance and obedience of superiors. Because of this disparity of thought process, East and West subscribe to very different schools of thought with regards to individualism, rationalism, and democracy. Jon Stuart Mill, in his book On Liberty, promotes the importance of constant debate of ideas. He argues that all opinions must be heard, whether they are from the majority or a minority of beliefs. He states that, “Judgment is given to men that they may use it… To prohibit what they think pernicious is not claiming from error, but fulfilling the duty incumbent on them, although fallible, of acting on their conscientious conviction. If we were never to act on our opinions, because those opinions may be wrong, we should leave all our interests uncared for, and all our duties underperformed.” (p. 18). In this passage, Mill argues that “judgment,” in this case the...
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...is one of the oldest philosophies in the world. Confucianism is based on the teaching of Confucius, who was born in 551 BCE in China. His teachings on the five great relationships and how the ideal person should act would shape China and other Asian nations to this day (Confucianism, 2015). The primary focus of Confucianism is the Five Great Relationships. These are the relationships of people in society and their importance. The first and most important is the father-son relationship. According to this relationship, the parents are responsible for their child’s education and the forming of the moral beliefs of the child. The children should be respectful and obey their parents. The children should also take care of their parents when they get old and are no longer able to take care of themselves. After the parents death, the children must honor their parents’ memory and take care of their graves and honor pictures of their parents. This relationship is the basis for all other relationships. Second is the elder brother-younger brother relationship. In this the elder is responsible for the younger and the younger must obey the elder. This is much like the father-son relationship. In fact, if the father should die the eldest son would then take his place as head of the family. Third is the husband-wife relationship. The husband and wife are responsible for taking care of each other. The husband is the head of the house and the protector of the wife. The wife is responsible for...
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...Great Relationships are certain duties that Confucius believed every person should fulfill in this society. Confucianism believes that we are not simply individuals; we are also threads of relationships with people, differing with each person whether you have a friendship or family connection with them. The first is Father-son which also represents a parent-child relationship. This relationship states that parents are responsible for teaching and educating their children to have morals, respect, and obedience. The reason why some people today will not appreciate this is because the parents are expected to select a career and marriage partner for their kids. There has to be a mutual care from the parents to the children and from the child to the parent, when the parent is old the children will take care of them and they are also expected to honor their parents even after death, by putting up pictures and talk about memories experienced with them. If parents teach this to their children since they are small they grow up respecting their elders and it applies at school with their teachers and at work with their boss. The second one is Elder-brother to Younger-brother relationship; the older brother has to assume responsibility for the younger siblings. The older sibling has to be aware that his/her parents can pass away any day, and that is when they will be taking responsibility for the young siblings. The third is the Husband-wife relationship which states that each person has to...
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...it relates to social responsibility. According to the dictionary social responsibility is “an ethical ideology or theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual has an obligation to act to benefit society at large” (the freedictionary.com). Three notable management authorities: Patrick Murphy, Milton Friedman, and Peter Drucker, have different opinions on what business ethics and social responsibility are and what is should mean to the business world. According to Patrick Murphy (2009) responsibility is a key principle of business ethics which implies a moral obligation to act. The word act is used as a verb and means to “do something.” Murphy points out that one is to not only act but to act in a certain way based on the persons extent of the freedom they have, meaning the bigger the space of freedom the bigger the obligation or responsibility one has. So, the higher up in an organization one is, the bigger the responsibility they have (Murphy, 2009). Several types of responsibility are addressed by Murphy: legal, corporate, managerial, social, consumer, and societal. More has been discussed in the past several years about social responsibility. The term “corporate social responsibility” also known as CSR, was defined by the Commission of European...
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