Most Important Aspects Of Life For Confucius example essay topic

Confucius is one of the most famous of the ancient Chinese philosophers. Confucius lived from 551 to 479 BC. He believed that Chinese culture had peaked during the height of the Zhou dynasty. During their reign, the Zhou rulers adhered to a set of practices referred to as the "li", also called rites or rituals. These rites governed all aspects of Chinese culture. The rites told everything, from the way huge political ceremonies should be conducted, to what is the proper way to respond to the receiving of a gift.

During Confucius' life, the role of the Zhou kings was reduced to mere figureheads and many of the rites had been lost, forgotten, or reduced to a lesser role. Confucius decided that he was to revive the practice of the rites and show others back to the way of the "dao", or the "way of heaven". In an effort to accomplish this, Confucius would not only strive to strictly follow the rites himself, he would dedicate his life to teaching and spreading them to others as well. The teachings of Confucius cover a wide variety of topics, as they were meant to govern all aspects of one's life. Some of the most important aspects of the rites taught by Confucius regard family relations, desirable traits of character, proper ways of governing, and aspects of "ren" or "true humaneness" or "humanity". While some of his teachings are ideas specific to his time and culture, such as the proper colors to be worn by nobility, other teachings such as family relations and virtue of character are just as valuable to today's society as it was for his own.

One of the most important aspects of life for Confucius was family life and relationships. Many of his teachings are therefore related to such topics. The main points of Confucius' teaching regarding family life have to do with filial obligations and respect among the family. He had become disheartened by the current state of family affairs as can be seen in Book 2.4 where he states "nowadays, filial is used to refer to anyone who is merely able to provide their parents with nourishment. But even dogs and horses are provided with nourishment.

If you do not treat your parents with reverence, wherein lies the difference" (Ivanhoe, 5). Confucius believed that respect and reverence were the foundation of the family bonds and what separated people from the animals. Confucius believed the only correct way for a child to be brought up is through this respect and fulfillment of filial obligations. He says that "it is unlikely that one who has grown up a filial son and respectful younger brother will then be inclined to defy his superiors" (Ivanhoe, 3) and that "filial ity and brotherly respect represent the root of ren" (Ivanhoe, 3). As Confucius believed that one should devote themselves to the pursuit of ren, or true humaneness, he gave a sort of creed to guide young men in this process.

"A student should be filial towards his parents when at home and respectful towards his elders when abroad. Careful in action and truthful in speech, he should display an expansive care for the multitude... If in the course of his duties he finds himself with energy to spare, he should devote it to study of the wen, cultural arts" (Ivanhoe, 3). While Confucius' teachings regarding family are based on principles of respect, he does note that disagreements can arise and gives advice on how to handle such occurrences.

He says that while being dutiful to one's parents, it is permissible to voice an opinion in opposition to them, but that "once it becomes apparent that they have not taken your criticism to heart you should be respectful and not oppose them, and follow their lead diligently without resentment" (Ivanhoe, 12). Confucius even went as far as to say that the bonds between father and son are more important than adherence to some laws. In Book 13.18 he states that if a father stole a sheep, the son should cover up for his father rather than report him to the authorities, and that if it was the son that stole a sheep the father should do the same and cover up for his child. Another main point of concentration among Confucius' work has to do with the virtue of one's character. Confucius was well aware that this was a substance lacking in many of his contemporaries. He clearly states this when he says "I have yet to meet a man who is as fond of virtue as he is of sex" (Ivanhoe, 26).

Perhaps one of Confucius' most famous sayings, often referred to as the "Golden Rule", and quite similar to Kant's categorical imperative is "what I do not wish others to do unto me, I also wish not to do unto others" (Ivanhoe, 14). In other words he is saying that one should treat others only in the way in which one would want others to treat them as well. Confucius believes that a combination of certain attributes will result in what he calls a complete person. A complete person will be "free of desire... courageous... accomplished in the arts... and acculturate them by means of ritual and music - such a man might be called a complete person" (Ivanhoe, 37). Confucius would also call this complete person a gentleman, or junzi.

This junzi, or gentleman, is what all men should strive to be by practicing the ways and rites taught by Confucius. Confucius put a great deal of emphasis on being a gentleman, and gives examples of how to become just such a man. He also gives examples of the attributes that a gentleman must possess and contrasts them will the attributes that a petty man, the opposite of a gentleman, would possess. According to Confucius, not everyone is capable of being a gentleman. It takes not only learned behavior and traits of character, but a certain amount of innate substance that one either has or has not. He says, "only when culture and native substance are perfectly mixed and balanced do you have a gentleman" (Ivanhoe, 17).

The relationship between one's words and actions also play a big part in the characteristics of a gentleman. Confucius says that a gentleman should be "slow of speech and cautious with regards to his actions" (Ivanhoe, 12) and also that a gentleman is "ashamed to have his words exceed his actions" (Ivanhoe, 38). This is somewhat similar to the words of Theodore Roosevelt when he said "walk softly and carry a big stick". In essence both are saying that one should not make claims or brag about abilities unless one is prepared to back up those claims with the proper corresponding actions. Confucius also makes clear the distinction between a gentleman and a petty man. He gives examples such as in Book 4.16 when he states that a gentleman acts a certain way because he understands what the right thing to do is, where as a petty man acts a certain way only because it is to his advantage to do so.

In Book 15.2 Confucius states that in times of hardship, such as a shortage of food or water, the gentleman remains firm and levelheaded, while the petty man becomes overwhelmed by the situation and acts improperly. He also states that in terms of everyday affairs, "the gentleman is relaxed and at ease, while the petty man is anxious and full of worry" (Ivanhoe, 23). As can be seen, Confucius was an extremely wise man. His appreciation for the past spurred the development of his teachings that have stood the test of time. While his work was intended to guide the masses of his day back to the glory that was once the Zhou dynasty, he instead managed to create a set of rites and teachings about the importance of family relations and strength of character that can be applied and appreciated as much today as they were over 2000 years ago..