Confucius Vs Socrates Research Paper

Confucius created the doctrine that 300 years after his death became a permanent impulse of social life in China, established rules of behaviour not only in the state, but also the family as a social unit.1

The philosophies share the thought that following the instructions to live the good life will benefit the individual who does so. Confucius's analects state “In the morning hear the Way; in the evening die content” (Analects, 1336). Both ideas agree that the individual that follows the good life will be better off, but unlike modern opinion living

Secondly, Confucius viewed rules and laws as harmful. He argued that people led by laws and punishments will try to avoid punishment but lose the sense of shame. If they are led by virtue and guided by propriety, they will preserve their sense of shame and become good citizens5. He saw a country as an extended family and a ruler should take care of his citizens like a father would take care of his children. The ruler as the “father” would need to set a proper example for the right ethics to flow down5.

Is Socrates a teacher? The answer is yes. Socrates is a teacher in many ways, but what is a teacher? A teacher is somebody who shows or tells you something you didn’t see or know before. What you learn from a teacher doesn’t need to be anything positive or anything that benefits you. Socrates teaches people things very often, and there is proof of this throughout Euthyphro, Crito, and Meno. Not everything he teaches is seen as beneficial to society, but he teaches people many beneficial things as well.

Confucius is one of the first Chinese thinkers who addressed the conflict of political and social order. he was a strong willed man who often did not get along with others. He never realized his ambition to become a powerful minister. Confucius attracted numerous disciples who aspired to political careers. His thought was fundamentally moral, ethical, and political in character. He had his disciples study works of poetry and history made during the Zhou dynasty. He examined the book of Songs, book of History, the Book of Rites, and other works with his students. Literary works of the Zhou dynasty became the core texts of the traditional Chinese education because of Confucius’s influence. There were specific Confucian values indluding ren, li, and xiao. Individuals with ren were courteous, respectful, loyal, and diligent. He said ren is much needed for government

     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.

Socrates most famous student, Plato, took Socrates’ teachings one-step further after his death. He was angered by the death of his friend, and began to distrust government; namely, the Athenian democracy. He thought that a rule by majority was corrupt, and that the majority of people were not bright enough to make decisions for the state.

Availability and understanding of available information by an individual was taken as a very important treasure. The issues that Confucius taught to be followed were not entirely scientific learning but rather the study of the consecrated contents and the tenets of good worth and propriety (Oliver, 1985). An additional element which he held high was the control of proper example. The heroes, heroines and great people that existed were greatly exemplified by Confucius. Confucius did this by persisting on the scrutiny of the conservative models. Many of his well recorded aphorisms are tributes of his considered men of high caliber. Confucius trained his supporters the significance of constantly welcoming the rectification of personal liabilities. To further assist in the creation of an upright moral fiber, he cherished a particular amount of strength of will. He acknowledged the threat, particularly in the youthful, of falling into unwanted behavior, so he persisted on eradicating the push for uncalled for reassurances (Ferguson, 1972).

Socrates and Confucius had very similar views on their religious beliefs. Socrates referred himself as a gadfly, a gadfly is a person who stirs up controversy who stirs up controversy and annoys people kind of like a horsefly biting a horse. Socrates is a Gadfly because he annoys the people of Athens and

Socrates as portrayed in the apology was a model of Confucian junzi. Socrates was born into the artisan class and a stonemason by the trade. He was the best known philosopher in Athens in the 2nd half of the fifth century. Socrates was conformed to the Greek polis as a model but he have exceeded by the size and territory. Socrates was a teacher of Plato. Socrates was known as the gadfly of the Athenian and the midwife truth. Socrates knew his way of philosophizing and questioning the profound influence on the development of Western philosophy and education. Confucius was a Chinese philosopher who lived during the late year of spring and autumn period of china between the 5th and 6th century B.C.E. Confucius was one of the person who was a great

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.

I think that Confucius was more correct in his views than Mencius, not because of differing views (although they did differ at certain points), but because of the way these ideas were carried out throughout his career, and ultimately, his life.

Within the Analects, one specific line stands out showing Confucius’ stance on a less active government. When asking about what they would do if given a political office, Confucius only agree with the following statement ushered by Tseng His, “In the late spring when the spring dress is ready, I would like to go with five or six grown-ups and six or seven young boys to bathe in the I River, enjoy the breeze on the Rain Dance Altar, and then return home singing” (Chan p. 38). By agreeing, Confucius is noting the preferred method by which an office holder should act, one which amplifies their connection with inner harmony and helps the people enhance their own. This extends into the ruler himself as well, with Confucius noting that “If a ruler sets himself right, he will be followed without his command. If he does not set himself right, even his commands will not be obeyed” (Chan p. 41). Confucius also notes the superiority of filial piety and respect towards one’s family over loyalty to the state, stating that in his (hypothetical) country upright men conceal the misconduct of their children and fathers even when against the law (Chan p. 41). Confucianism in relation to government shows the belief that the inherent goodness in men must be allowed to flourish, even when against

Philosophy is the study of the nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. The occupation of the philosopher is in trying to understand the world around us, trying to determine the truth of the world and of humanity, and essentially to explain things which are more or less unexplainable. Certain issues have fascinated philosophers because they are universal and apply to all human beings regardless of class, gender, ethnicity, religion, or age. The concepts of human existence, why humans exist and what makes them exist are often discussed by philosophers. Perhaps the only concept which appears more frequently in philosophic writings than the topic of existence is the ideas about life and death. All human beings will eventually die; it is the one thing in life which is absolutely certain. This concept was the basis for much of the writings of the great thinker Socrates. Given his beliefs about the nature of life and death, it is no surprise that when he was sentenced to death by the Greek authorities; he did not run nor beg for mercy, but instead took the poison and died as the court had ruled he must. In doing so, he was affirming both his belief in the state and in the hereafter. Since he did not belief that the soul ever ended, it makes sense that he did not see his death as a horrendous punishment as many do.

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