Aristotle versus Confucius Essay

Both St. Augustine’s Confessions and Confucius’s Analects are significant teachings that have influenced people around the world not only in ancient times but in current history as well. Both doctrines provide discussion on the ethical values of society back in the ancient time they were written and lead us to discover similarities between the two beliefs. Although we find these connections, there are significant differences between St. Augustine and Confucius’s views on life and beliefs since they were living in different time periods and environments. Their experiences are the influencers that have impacted to the way that philosophies and traditions have grown today between the West and the East. I agree that Confucius celebrated social

Both St. Augustine’s Confessions and Confucius’s Analects are influential teachings that have a vast influence on people around the world in the ancient time and currently. Both doctrines discuss ethical values of society back during the time they were written and leads us to find some similarities between the two. There are substantial distinctions between Confucius and St. Augustine’s experiences and beliefs since they are living in different environments and time periods. Their insightful differences are the influences that contributed to mold the distinct philosophies and traditions between the West and the East today. I

Reading Questions 1. What, according to Lau, is the most fundamental message of Confucius? What Confucius taught that set him apart from teachings of the past and even of the future, was that living a life with moral conviction was to be done for the sake of the morals themselves. This is to say that rewards for ones morality in the afterlife was, according to Confucius, not to be sought after. He said that the, “burden is heavy and the road is long.” The good you do in this life is meant for this life only and is crucial to demonstrate.

For example, the Analects of government, sage, virtue, and manners give a sense of teachings and positive philosophies to follow in order to become a good ruler and obtaining and giving respect. While the Classics and ideals of popper conduct, political peace, moral power, love and ideal humanity help to reinforce the Analects by giving an ideology of a humanism. As Confucian gives words of wisdom of establish a community who should act only when necessary, use knowledge for the benefit of all, and to live in peace in order to developed a stronger culture. Confucius gives the Chinese people a focus on the cultivation of virtue and maintenance of ethics, creating a community of righteousness and moral disposition to do good and how one should act in a community. Overall, Confucianism is a source of values, the social code of the Chinese, and a substance of

In the Analects, the virtue of humanity centers around reverence, generosity, diligence, honesty, and kindness towards others. In seeking to attain each of these virtues, the goal is to become a true junzi, a gentleman (Confucius, Analects, 2). Men are thoroughly instructed upon how to deal with other people. They are treat everyone with kindness and righteousness (Confucius, Analects, 1). Reverence is to be shown to superiors, and harmony maintained with those not on his “level”. The dignity of a gentleman's actions are what gain him respect (Confucius, Analects, 1-2). He is to “expect” no more that what one is capable of in service, but to be “pleased” by nothing less than true following of “the Way” (Confucius, Analects,

Confucius’ high emphasis on morality instead of profit was one of his major political ideals that he tried to persuade the the rulers of the kingdoms to pursue. However, his failure to convince any of those rulers reflected the prevalent pragmatic political culture at that period. After all, the kingdoms were at war with each other so that Confucius’ idea was inevitably less popular than those battle-winning strategies in favor of “profit.”

     Confucius’s counsel and guidance recorded in The Analects instilled wisdom when they were first recorded and continue to provide a thought provoking analysis of life and the checkpoints that guide it. The Master’s commentary on restraint, diligence, decency, and citizenship are well intended and relevant. Politics and the role of government also come under scrutiny as Confucius offers his insights in bettering the organization of power. His proverb-like admonitions use clear examples of everyday life allowing them to be understood and easily digested. Confucius’s own eagerness and willingness to share goodness he experienced makes it easier to apply and practice in one’s own life.

I have once encountered someone who believed philosophy is just about moral values and nothing else. To an extent that is true however, I have learned you gain knowledge from each other by talking about philosophy. Philosophy is all about thoughts and reflection for understanding what the world offers. Within this essay, it will show the perspectives of wisdom from ancient thinkers apart from medieval thinkers. As well as how these different groups of thinkers see an essential link between philosophical discourse and practice or how can one live life. Epictetus and Pierre Hadot are both concern with ancient philosophy, whereas Remi Brague and Thomas Aquinas studied medieval philosophy. The religious doctrine contains the idea that God freely

Therefore a big point that Confucius was trying to get across was, jen, that every human is born good and pure. When you are born, you are innocent and have no bad bone

Confucius seems to believe that true wisdom is choosing humaneness, and being able to see how the decision to be humane is more beneficial than choosing to chase after wealth and recognition. Such as in 4.5, if one chooses to forsake humaneness for wealth and status, then they are not a worthy person, as a truly wise and humane person would be content in whatever position they hold in life. Also seen in 4.14, a truly wise and humane individual would not worry about whether they have a good position or the recognition of others, but rather about whether they have traits worthy of these things. In these core teachings, a humane person is one who ultimately seeks to do the right thing, and is not as concerned with their own personal gain, but with doing what is truly right and humane. In 4.10 it is seen that the humane person should seek only that which is right, disregarding biases and predispositions, to try and figure out what the right thing to do is, and not just what they might be predisposed towards and in favor for. Confucius also comments on how rulers should behave in a humane way, speaking of how they should be seeking out the good of the people over the desire for power and wealth. Of course, Confucius also speaks of filial piety as something important to the humane person, as the humane person will seek to be a filial child and always try to respect their parents. A humane person should be gentle in trying to dissuade their parents from wrong, but should ultimately be respectful of their parents. A humane person would also find joy and anxiety in the age of their parents, as they should be happy their parents live a long life, but concerned that they will one day come to an end. As in 4.19, Confucius says one should not often travel far away from their

Confucius, who lived from 551-479 BCE, was a Chinese philosopher, teacher, and politician. Confucius had written a set of books or ideas and concepts called The Analects. These were different collections of sayings that Confucius had written to reflect his ideas about different things like politics, family, morality, and many more. Confucius is also the creator of the commonly used “Golden Rule” of “do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” Through his teachings, books, and his followers, the philosophy of Confucianism was created. In Doctrine of the Mean, Confucius explains how to perfect oneself and how to become a morally righteous person. He explains how one must maintain a balance into a constant state of equilibrium.

Confucius created a system of thinking called Confucianism. If only one word could be used to summarize the Chinese way of life for the last two thousand years, that word would be Confucian. No other person has had as great an effect on the life and thought of the Chinese people as Confucius. He is the most adored person in Chinese history. Confucius claimed no greatness, instead he looked to a past time that he saw as the golden age. He told one of his disciples, "I transmit but I do not create. I am sincerely fond of the ancient. I would compare myself to Old P'eng who was fond of talking about the good old days." Confucius was a transmitter of the wisdom of the past. From his study of Chinese tradition, he gathered the

Following the initial conversation between Confucius and Zeng Zi, Confucius subsequently provides guidelines of how to act filially for people of different positions in society. These include the common people, ministers, feudal lords, the Shi (scholars), and even the Son of Heaven. In each case, no matter the position, Confucius strongly advocates for people to “revere their parents.” Additionally people will indirectly honor their parents by acting decently towards others: “those who love their parents dare not be hateful to others” (Mair, Steinhardt, Goldin, 107). Confucius elaborated on other concepts relating to filial piety and their value within society.

     Confucius and Plato are two of the most respected and most widely studied teachers of history. There philosophies of how people should be governed and what characteristics make for a good leader. Both men’s ideas are good for the civilizations that they lived in, and they shared many similarities in their ideas. My own ideas of an ideal leader are a mixture of these two men’s ideas. The personal experiences of both men also play a key role in how they shape their ideas.

was the education for China for 2,000 years. Confucius had few simple morals, to honor one?s parents and