At one point in our lives, we all ask ourselves, “What is the good life?” Is it winning the lottery, or finding love, or is it graduating University? Philosopher Plato, the Buddhist religion and Confucius had their own beliefs of what the good life is for them. I believe all of these Philosophers’ and religions theories have truth and meaning, and we have all, or will experience them in our journey through our lives. The philosophers and Religions that spoke out to me the most were Plato, the Buddhist and the Confucius. Firstly, there is one specific philosopher, that his theory on this specific topic stands out for me, Plato. Plato believes that training people to live good lives, we must help them to achieve 2 things. The first thing we …show more content…
He believed in these works that were collected into the Analects, a collection of sayings written down by his followers. They are not always considered, or referred to as commandments, because he didn’t like prescribing strict rules. He believed that if he simply lived virtuously, he would inspire others to do the same. These are some of the morals that Confucius helps us remember. The first one is that ceremony is important. The Analects is a story full of short events, with conversations between Confucius and his disciples. (The Book of Life) He taught that a person who combines compassion and rituals correctly is a “superior man” virtuous and morally powerful. The second one is that we should treat our parents with respect. Confucius was very adamant on how we should treat our parents. He says that we should obey them at all costs, and we should take care of them when they are old. We should make sacrifices before and after they are gone. Also, when they are alive do not travel far away from them, and cover for them when they need your help. This act of selflessness is known as filial piety. Confucius says that we cannot be caring, greatful, or wise, if we do not pay attention to the little things in life. Life going to visit your family, or going out for lunch with them. The third one is that we should be obedient to honorable people. Some of us believe that we are born equal, but according to Confucius, this is not the case. We need to be willing to recognize that some people's experiences are greater, and more valuable than ours, and respect them for that fact. Obeying these people is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of humility and respect for them. The fourth and final factor is well understood knowledge can be more important than creativity. Wisdom comes from years of hard work and
takes this a step further and states that something that is good must not only
Some of the core beliefs of Confucianism are people should live their live by this two principles that are concern for others and appropriate behavior. Confucius beleved that everyone has a role to play in society. The sacred text of Confucianism are Analects , the Five Classics and the Four Books, they define the way people should live their life and how to help others. In conclusion Confucianism is an ethical system which strives to create harmonious relationships between people.
Following the Way in the pursuit of goodness leads people to the status of “gentleman.” However, this status can only be achieved from a lifelong pursuit, which if accomplished by many, will eventually lead to innate goodness within the entire society. Confucius reveals the amount of learning and time required for achieving such status of “gentleman” in book two, chapter four, where he states, “At fifteen, I set my mind upon learning. At thirty, I took my stand. At forty, I had no doubts. At fifty, I knew the will of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was attuned. At seventy, I follow all the desires of my heart without breaking any rule” (Analects, in NAWL, eds. Martin Puchner, et al., 3rd edition, vol. A, 1335). Confucius presents the achievement of the “gentleman” status in a superior, yet moderate manner. He does not motivate by promising personal gain or achievement; he instead teaches to always place what is right and morally correct as top priority. It was believed by Confucius that moderation led
So in all actuality, Buddhist believe that every day on earth, people should live with good positive feelings, positive thinking, positive attitude. As Buddhist people suggested, life is practice. One can not be happy in the after life unless one takes the advantage of their life on earth.
It was more of a guide to show people how to behave, which meant doing what was ethical. Confucius, the mastermind behind Confucianism, was disappointed with the way the governmental system was being ran. This turmoil led to him creating the moral code. Heavy value was placed on virtue and education. Eventually, his teachings became the foundation for spiritual and ethical being all through China. He taught from the Analects. He didn’t leave writings so the Analects was recounted for by his disciples. Being a follower of Confucianism meant to follow what Confucius had to say. That’s what this religion told its people to do, to simply obey. Confucius taught that people should take on an upright life, become educated and make contributions so society could improve. In one part of his teachings, coming from the Analects, he notes that someone with superiority must respect their elders, be fair, and maintain relationships with those who mean good. These sayings just proved that all he wanted was for all of his people to set great examples. Confucius believed in five key relationships as a way to place people in society. These relationships were ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, elder and younger brother and friend and friend. This shed light on the importance of family respect and loyalty. He insisted that people learn five important virtues as well. These virtues included Ren, which
We might not have the same opinions, paths, and ways of living; but we all, millions of people around the world, share the same purpose of life: Being able to say “I am having a good life!” What we mean by “good life” is living in pure happiness and having a wonderful peace of mind. The difference between us is that each one of us chooses a different way in his pursuit of happiness. Some find it in stability with a big house, a family, and a good paying job. Some find it in adventure and wildness, travel, and taking risks. While others don’t really have specific criteria or an organized plan, they just believe that happiness comes with living each day as if it was the last, with no worries about the rest. Personally, I find it in trying to be the best version of myself, in staying true to my principles, and in the same time in being able to make my own decisions; which reminds me of what George Loewenstein said “Just because we figure out that X makes people happy and they're choosing Y, we don't want to impose X on them.”
According to Owen Flanagan, the answer is “Yes”, and it seems that the book can be treated as an answer to this question. Flanagan is unlike many philosophers who take Buddhist philosophy and Buddhism actively. In his last chapter, Flanagan observes the connection between happiness and virtue and their relations in its epistemology, moral philosophy, and metaphysics through a fair eye with western analytic traditions. Flanagan has highlighted the perception of the Buddhist belief of “happiness” as contrasting with the Aristotelian convention while stating the similarities on their treatment of the simple relationship between moral and rational virtues. He examined the checklist of virtues in both beliefs that are crucial for human to function well, “Nirvana” for Buddha and “Eudaimonia” for Aristotle.
Confucius was first a teacher he studied and did well. “ On reaching the age of 15 I bent my mind to learning”. (Hudson Smith ,World Religions 155). Confucius was also a tutor. “He had complete confidence in his ability to reorder society. (155). Confucius believed you should “enrich and then educate”. (Smith pg. 155). Confucius went state to state teaching people giving advice to their leaders. Confucius failed as a politician but was successful as a teacher. In China he is known as the mentor to many, Confucius believed there were four things to a profound person. They are as follows “To serve my father as I would expect my son to serve me. To serve my ruler as I would expect my ministers to serve me. To serve my elder brother as I would
Confucius was born into a time when the feudal system of China had collapsed. He was raised a scholar by his mother and worked in the Chinese government. After his mother passed away, he become a teacher. Confucius was a witness to the chaos of his time and resolved to aid those who were suffering from the social disorder. Confucius believed that the production of strongly educated individuals could become great leaders and that they in turn would create a harmonious society. In order to achieve this, the cultivation of one’s intellect and virtues were necessary. This could be done through education, which included poetry, the arts, and philosophical teachings. Believing that the past con...
“Plato, Apologia” is a primary source that is a story written by Plato, it is a written account of Socrates, a Greek philosopher, who was being tried for immorality towards the gods and for “corrupting the youth” (Strayer). In this primary source, Socrates is trying to plead his case so he won 't be charged; unfortunately, Socrates does get charged with the crimes he was convicted of and is sentenced to be put to death. Through his Socrates’ plea, his discusses what he believes is “the good life,” what “wisdom” is, and what “virtue” is.
Depending you are a man or a woman, there can be many aspects and opinions of the good life. Depending your rich or poor, there are many aspects. Some people say money is the key to a good life, but I do not think that. The age means something, but I have my opinion and have my own examples, and I will tell you, and can only speak for my self.
Plato widely a respected philosopher and is arguably one of the greatest philosophers of all time. I knew nothing about him or what he stood for before taking this course and I found his theory on human nature very exciting. “Plato’s most fundamental contribution to philosophy was the distinction he drew between the changing physical objects we perceive with our senses and the under changing ideals we can know with our minds.” What Plato means is when we see something that we think is good or bad that there is good strong reasoning behind why we think the way we do. I find this very intriguing because, this it pertains to how I feel about everyday things and big Icons. For example, when hanging out at a friend’s house that is considerably richer
In my opinion, Socrates’ analysis of human nature is very true as it ultimately brings us
According to Aristotle, the good life is the happy life, as he believes happiness is an end in itself. In the Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle develops a theory of the good life, also known as eudaimonia, for humans. Eudaimonia is perhaps best translated as flourishing or living well and doing well. Therefore, when Aristotle addresses the good life as the happy life, he does not mean that the good life is simply one of feeling happy or amused. Rather, the good life for a person is the active life of functioning well in those ways that are essential and unique to humans. Aristotle invites the fact that if we have happiness, we do not need any other things making it an intrinsic value. In contrast, things such as money or power are extrinsic valuables as they are all means to an end. Usually, opinions vary as to the nature and conditions of happiness. Aristotle argues that although ‘pleasurable amusements’ satisfy his formal criteria for the good, since they are chosen for their own sake and are complete in themselves, nonetheless, they do not make up the good life since, “it would be absurd if our end were amusement, and we laboured and suffered all our lives for the sake of amusing ourselves.”
Society has identified happiness to be a necessity that consist of wealth and pleasure and materials in order to feel satisfied. Therefore, people feel satisfied with the materials that they obtain and can become dissatisfied with their self. The good life focuses on obtaining intellectual virtues and the fundamental truths. Also, to live a good life they must obtain character virtues For example, a person must become virtuous by improving their character and obtaining reason. Also, the person must know the difference between good and bad actions. To be happy we must acquire the excellence of character and the mean between excess and