Confucious
Bean, Nathan Philosophy 101 22 January 2013
Confucius
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.
2. What is the difference between the chun tzu and the hsiao jen? The literal translation seems to mean: chun tzu is a ruling figure while hsiao jen is one who is ruled. Of course, these two labels represent much more than social division. Lau says that they are moral terms with chun tzu being one with strong morals and hsiao jen meaning the opposite. Confucius uses these terms sometimes ambiguously as well, a possible nod to the complexity of human morals.
3. Can anyone become a chun tzu? Although it is not spelled out for us in the reading, I believe that the answer is yes. But that does not mean that every man is. Hardly. It is said that to become a chun tzu, it takes a lifetime of hard work and cultivation. Essentially, a chun tzu must spend his or her entire life working towards being a benevolent being. This is nothing that is reserved for Gods or prophets. It can be Attained by man, but only after a great deal of effort, practice, and conviction.
4. What is jen and how is it related to chung and shu? Jen is the love of fellow man. Lau is up front about how few times it shows up and its’ exact use, but seems quite sure that it is love for fellow man. So when the three are separated out, jen, chung, and shu, we see a relatively clear difference:
- Jen = Love for fellow man - Chung = Effort in benevolence, to do ones best - Shu = Benevolence itself, do unto
Confucius
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.
2. What is the difference between the chun tzu and the hsiao jen? The literal translation seems to mean: chun tzu is a ruling figure while hsiao jen is one who is ruled. Of course, these two labels represent much more than social division. Lau says that they are moral terms with chun tzu being one with strong morals and hsiao jen meaning the opposite. Confucius uses these terms sometimes ambiguously as well, a possible nod to the complexity of human morals.
3. Can anyone become a chun tzu? Although it is not spelled out for us in the reading, I believe that the answer is yes. But that does not mean that every man is. Hardly. It is said that to become a chun tzu, it takes a lifetime of hard work and cultivation. Essentially, a chun tzu must spend his or her entire life working towards being a benevolent being. This is nothing that is reserved for Gods or prophets. It can be Attained by man, but only after a great deal of effort, practice, and conviction.
4. What is jen and how is it related to chung and shu? Jen is the love of fellow man. Lau is up front about how few times it shows up and its’ exact use, but seems quite sure that it is love for fellow man. So when the three are separated out, jen, chung, and shu, we see a relatively clear difference:
- Jen = Love for fellow man - Chung = Effort in benevolence, to do ones best - Shu = Benevolence itself, do unto