Reflection on the Ethical Teachings Found in Confucianism Confucianism, a religion of optimistic humanism, has had a monumental impact upon the life, social structure and political philosophy of China. The founding of the religion goes back to one man, known as Confucius, born a half-millennium before Christ (McDowell, 1983).
And even though many people refer to Confucianism as a religion, many others say it really is a philosophy of life, not a religion. Confucius believes in harmony between the cosmic order and the social order, so that justice and happiness would prevail among all people in their larger groupings (Noss, 2008: 290).Confucius had many disciples and wrote many books, therefore his teachings of ethical principles are available for us to know and learn about today. Confucius emphasized the magnitude of moral quality in determining the goodness of people’s actions.
<
...p> The chief ethical principle of Confucianism is “li”. Confucius asserted that by living according to this principle, one lives in the way of an ultimate man, or a true gentleman (McDowell, 1983). The philosophy surrounding this principle emphasizes personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity (Mc Dowell, 1983).Li is what Confucius thought to be the ultimate standard of religious, moral, and social conduct.
Li represents the rituals and a rule of respectability through which an individual displays respect for superiors and fulfills their function in society in a way that is laudable of respect and adoration. Everything that someone says or does should be based on a true consideration for propriety. Li is valued as the highest priority in practicing Confucian philosophy.It is essential to the ordering and regulating of the fundamental
relationships found in society, which are as follows: (1) ruler and subject (2) father and son (3) husband and wife (4) eldest son and younger brothers (5) elders and juniors (Noss, 1969). The goal of perfect harmony among these relationships can only be achieved if the ten appropriate attitudes are present.
The ten appropriate attitudes are defined as kindness in the father, filial piety in the son, gentility in the eldest brother, humility and respect in the youngest brothers, righteous actions in the husband, obedience in the wife, compassion in the elders, everence in the juniors, benevolence in rulers, and supreme loyalty in subjects (Noss, 2008: 300). If the ten appropriate attitudes are expressed throughout these community relationships the outcome will be peace and harmony between these relationships and li may be attained. Confucianism would be a great philosophy to follow here in America in my opinion. I think there is a great deal of corruption going on in the world today and we as people forget to treat one another with the respect and politeness that each of us deserves.
Ultimately though I think it would fail.America is too diverse to have all people follow one way of socializing and conducting their lives. Also, there are a handful of different types of religions practiced that would or could contradict with Confucius’ philosophies. I think the principle philosophy is inspiring and hopefully one day we might be able to start living our lives a bit more in line with Confucianism.
Bibliography McDowell, Josh, Handbook of Today’s Religions, USA: Campus Crusade for Christ Inc, 1983. Noss, David S. , A History of the World’s Religions, New
Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2008 Noss, John B. , Man's Religions, New York: MacMillan Company, 1969.
- Values of Life essays
- Ethical dilemma essays
- Normative Ethics essays
- Virtue Ethics essays
- Belief essays
- Deontology essays
- Moral essays
- Virtue essays
- Work Ethic essays
- Acceptance essays
- Age Of Enlightenment essays
- Child Observation essays
- Confucianism essays
- Conscience essays
- Critical Reflection essays
- Destiny essays
- Determinism essays
- Empiricism essays
- Environmentalism essays
- Epistemology essays
- Ethics essays
- Ethos essays
- Existence essays
- Existentialism essays
- Fate essays
- Free Will essays
- Functionalism essays
- Future essays
- Good And Evil essays
- Human Nature essays
- Individualism essays
- Meaning Of Life essays
- Metaphysics essays
- Natural Law essays
- Personal Philosophy essays
- Philosophers essays
- Philosophy Of Life essays
- Political Philosophy essays
- Pragmatism essays
- Reality essays
- Relativism essays
- Teaching Philosophy essays
- Time essays
- Transcendentalism essays
- Truth essays
- Utilitarianism essays
- Attitude essays
- Goals essays
- Personal Goals essays
- Personal Life essays
