The Influence Of Ancient Chinese Philosophers

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Ancient Chinese Philosophers, translated by Mark Coyle, focusing on the influential ancient philosopher, Confucius, says a lot of what the Chinese people of the ancient world thought of humanity and human ethics. Confucius, after all, did influence the Chinese for generations. The nature of humans, in Confucius’ eyes, is that humans are constantly seeking to improve himself to be not only ethical, but also loyal to the Way of Dao. One had to be a gentleman, you had to have humanity, had to be loyal and respectful towards those who brought you into this world. Ethics concerns itself with good and evil; Confucius had a lot to say about ethics and humanity. He had a certain view of the world, and how humanity should see the world and themselves. Basically, people were to be gentlemen; to “concern himself with the Way” (Confucius, Mark Coyle, Ancient Chinese Philosophers, page 13); which is to say that a person should only concern himself with the Will of Dao. A good, ethical person does not hide behind false words or gestures, and knows when to have humility. One was to take …show more content…

A person who possesses humanity must actively practice and possess the attributes necessary to have respectful ethics. According to Confucius, these attributes were “reverence, generosity, truthfulness, diligence, and kindness” (Confucius, Mark Coyle, Ancient Chinese Philosophers, page 14); to practice these five attributes, you would be revered as a gentleman who possessed not only humanity, but wisdom as well. A kind, diligent person, who also practiced reverence, was a truthful and generous being. All of these attributes fit together like a puzzle. Without one piece, you could not complete the whole

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