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Confucianism and its influence upon Chinese society
The strengths and weakness of confucianism
Confucianism and its influence upon Chinese society
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Source 3 – Selections from Xunzi: Human Nature is Evil (Week 5)
• How does Xunzi’s understanding of human nature compare to that of Mencius?
• Why might Xunzi and Mencius, from the same background, both self-appointed interpreters of Confucius, and only one generation apart, come up with their respective understandings of human nature?
• What implications does Xunzi’s understanding of human nature have for family life and government?
Xunzi believes that human nature is inherintally evil and that people are born their sensory desires which, when indulged, will lead to ‘licentiousness and chaos’.
Mencius argues that human nature is originally good. the main difference between Xunzi’sandMencius’sconcep- tions of xing lies in their different
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While Xunzi thinks that the hear t/mind naturally prefers sel f-i nterest,
Me ncius thinks that the heart/mind naturally prefers propriety.
the main difference between Xunzi’sandMencius’sconcep- tions of xing lies in their different conceptions of the heart/mind. In making their respective state- men ts on xing, what Mencius and Xunzi are primar ily convey ing is their disagreem ent on what the natural preference of heart/mind is, and what mak es it possible for the heart/mind to find pleasure in goodness. While Xunzi thinks that the hear t/mind naturally prefers sel f-i nterest,
Me ncius thinks that the heart/mind naturally prefers propriety. the main difference between Xunzi’sandMencius’sconcep- tions of xing lies in their different conceptions of the heart/mind. In making their respective state- men ts on xing, what Mencius and Xunzi are primar ily convey ing is their disagreem ent on what the natural preference of heart/mind is, and what mak es it possible for the heart/mind to
…show more content…
Confucianism is fundamental to Chinese civilization, much more so than Buddhism. It is essentially a socio-political creed. Basically, Confucianism is concerned about the development of ethical behaviour, starting with individuals, and then the individuals using this developed ethical behaviour in the public arena, serving as ministers of the state. In the central thinking of Confucianism, it is not enough to develop your own ethical qualities. You are then duty bound to try to use these in the service of the state, and the state in Confucian terms ought to be a state that is run by ethical men.
- Article 4: ‘The ministers and officials of state should make proper behaviour their first principle’
- Article 4: ‘When people behave properly the Government will be in good order’ -> Common link of Confucian idea of ethical behaviour a public issue.
The introduction of a system similar to China’s mandate of heaven to strengthen the power and validity of the Emperor. However, unlike China, Japan removed the idea in China that if the emperor was failing in his duties that it would be reason for him to be removed from the throne, the emperor being responsible for everything down to nature itself. Instead Shotoku’s constitution, while still claiming the Emperor’s connection to heaven, went to claim that it was on the onus of the ‘inferior’ to obey and that if they didn’t, it is then that the natural result
Confucius was a philosopher, political intellect and an educator whose philosophies have significantly prejudiced not only the Chinese principles but the entire world evolution. He lived through the “Spring” and “Autumn” epoch of Chinese history, when east central China was separated over a dozen fighting states. The inordinate ailment and grief he saw swayed his political thoughts, which highlighted command, grading and the rule of a compassionate self-governing state.
...direct encouragement of students to think for themselves. Cheng uses simple language and diction so that everyone, peasant or educated, can understand his message.
A person may have the desire to do everything but it is only one or two things he can do in life. Especially today, although nothing is impossible, it is highly unlikely for one to be able to do all the desired things in life because of how there are too many people competing for the same thing or it takes a lot of effort and dedication to keep up and work hard until reaching the goal. Therefore, humans are given the ability to choose between things because having too many expectations or too few is not good. When these hopes are shattered, they result in a very negative outcome.
Cao Xueqin’s Story of the Stone is a classic in Chinese literature, showcasing the life and exploits of the wealthy Jia clan during the feudal era. Through Cao’s depiction, the reader is afforded a glimpse into the customs and lifestyle of the time. Chinese mode of thought is depicted as it occurs in daily life, with the coexisting beliefs of Confucianism and Taoism. While the positive aspects of both ideologies are presented, Cao ultimately depicts Taoism as the paramount, essential system of belief that guides the character Bao-yu to his eventual enlightenment. As was the case in China, Cao depicts the two forms of belief existing alongside one another, and not necessarily practiced exclusively to one another.
Riegel, Jeffrey. "Confucius." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy . Ed. Edward N. Zalta. Stanford, 3 July 2002. Web. 8 Mar. 2012. .
...ut more importantly Mencius' core conception that human nature is also aware of its actions, and considers the well-being of others and that people are morally obligated to do so is also key to attaining our full potential. This conception of human nature and proper order together is what has shaped East Asian political and social thought for centuries. It is credited with creating an East Asia that is economically robust, and socially coherent and once again will be the center of human society in the decades to come. And contrary to popular Western belief, East Asian political thought does appreciate the necessity of the individual in defining society. In fact the only way to attain our human nature is to healthily self-cultivate ourselves morally and materially so we can reach our highest potential and in that way be a valued and contributing member to society.
Mencius brings up many examples in this argument on why all humans are essentially good. He says that naturally all humans have compassion and empathy inside them. The example he brings up is that all humans cannot bear to see another suffer, if someone saw a child about to fall into a well as human would automatically be filled with compassion, distress, pity and alarm. He argues everyone is filled with pity and compassion for others and that if they do not have these feelings they are not human. Xunzi argues that human nature is evil and goodness comes from training. He thinks that one is born with a feeling of envy and hate and over time with loyalty and good faith the evil in us goes away. From reading both of these arguments I felt that I agreed with Mencius more than Xunzi. I felt like when reading them that Mencius gave more arguments and examples of how people react to situations and why that made me agree more with him than Xunzi. I felt like some of Xunzi arguments were a little too much for me in the sense that he felt that all human beings are born with so much evil in us. I did not think his portion of this was as convincing as Mencius.
Shows how Confucius teaches individuals of both high and low birth to strive for success in their lifetime.
Human nature is one of the most core concerns of every Chinese philosopher we have studied this semester. Each one holds a particular stance when they address human’s natural state, and this very much contributes to their philosophy overall. For example, Confucius, Mencius and Han Fei Tzu all differ in their ideas of human nature, and this shaped each one’s particular philosophy.
The teachings according to Confucius refer to Confucianism. Confucianism is the multifarious classification of ethical, collective, political and pious philosophy developed by Confucius and the old Chinese practices (Bertrand, 1999). Confucianism aim is actually making an individual honorable but also making such an individual the character of learning and of proper manners. The ideal and faultless man has to combine the characters of a saint, an intellectual and gentleman. Confucianism is a religious conviction whose adulation is focused on offerings to the dead. The idea of responsibility is extensive beyond the precincts of morals and holds close to the minutiae of daily living.
Confucianism is a moral and religious system of China. Its origins go back to the Analects, the sayings attributed to Confucius, and to ancient writings, including that of Mencius. Confucius was born a mandarin under the name Kongzi. It was developed around 550 B.C. In its earliest form Confucianism was primarily a system of ethical concepts for the control of society. It saw man as a social creature that is bound to his fellow men by jen, or “humanity.” Jen is expressed through the five relationships—sovereign and subject, parent and child, elder and younger brother, husband and wife, and friend and friend. Of these, the filial relation is most important.
As one of the greatest founding novels of Taoism, Book of Chuang Tzu serves to strengthen Lao Tzu 's arguments in Tao Te Ching and lays the foundation for Taoism 's place in Chinese philosophy. Because Confucianism and Taoism are two competing philosophy schools that share more outstanding differences than similarities, the followers of both schools often refute and evaluate the ideals of the opposite school. However, the constant appearance of Confucius as the main character in more than twenty chapters in Book of Chuang Tzu not only surprises the readers, but also calls for deep analysis of the roles played Confucius in order to understand the true meaning of this ancient literature. While Chuang Tzu criticizes many of the Confucian ideas
The above illustration would be meaningless and pointless if human nature was not correct and if these illustrations were not leaning toward goodness. For Confucius, the uppermost political supreme was the customary theocracy which requisite that the most righteous be the leader because good feature was understood to be similar to human nature.
...y will do anything to produce the response that they want. On the other hand, gentlemen encompass both the desire and ability to see the entire context in which they are situated. The prominent strength of the junzi is the capability to make decisions for an entire being. For this reason, they alone have the necessary understanding to lead others as portrayed by Confucius when he preaches, “if you try to guide the common people with the coercive regulations…the common people will become evasive and will have no sense of shame. If…you guide them with Virtue…the people will have a sense of shame and will rectify themselves” (2.3). Confucius displayed the qualities of a gentleman and tried to be the model for his disciples to follow. His goal was to reform corrupt societies through princes, ministers, and common servants who based their lives on the example of jinzi.
Chang, King- yuh, The Impact of the Three Principles of the People on China (Taipei, _____Taiwan, Republic of China, National Chengchi University, 1988) pp.vii