Confucius
Ashton Bigler
Dr. Sabrina Hom
Philosophy 2010
21 November 2013
Confucius Paper In The Analects of Confucius, Zigong, one of the students of Confucius, is talking to Confucius, and says, “…‘I do not want others to impose on me, nor do I want to impose on others.’ Confucius replied, ‘Zigong, this is quite beyond your reach’,” (Confucius 5.12). Throughout one’s life, there are situations and problems that occur where we will have to impose on others. Other people will be put in those situations without their consent sometimes. But how is it that we go about life without imposing or being imposed?
To truly understand what Zigong means, the word “impose” must be defined. To impose something, according to Oxford English Dictionary, to “impose” something is to “to lay on or set on; to place or set in position; to put, place, or deposit,” (Oxford English Dictionary). Based on this definition of the word “impose”, Zigong seems to infer that he wishes to not have this kind of strength and power over people, and that he always wishes that people would return the same for him. This makes imposition seem like a bad thing. But could imposing be a good thing? Later in the book, Confucius says that “Those who are prominent are true in their basic disposition, and seek after what is most appropriate,” (Confucius 12.20). When it comes to laws and decision making, we put those who we believe have the best mindset and character in office to rule. If these people who are prominent are true in their basic disposition, then they will ultimately act upon their pure character and “impose” appropriate laws. Imposing things can be something positive with the right ruler and authority. Another example of imposing is when Confucius is speaking to Zigong and says, “…do not impose on others what you yourself do not want,” (Confucius 15.24). Imposing here is something positive. If one only imposes something that they would not mind, then suddenly, there is a happier and less
Dr. Sabrina Hom
Philosophy 2010
21 November 2013
Confucius Paper In The Analects of Confucius, Zigong, one of the students of Confucius, is talking to Confucius, and says, “…‘I do not want others to impose on me, nor do I want to impose on others.’ Confucius replied, ‘Zigong, this is quite beyond your reach’,” (Confucius 5.12). Throughout one’s life, there are situations and problems that occur where we will have to impose on others. Other people will be put in those situations without their consent sometimes. But how is it that we go about life without imposing or being imposed?
To truly understand what Zigong means, the word “impose” must be defined. To impose something, according to Oxford English Dictionary, to “impose” something is to “to lay on or set on; to place or set in position; to put, place, or deposit,” (Oxford English Dictionary). Based on this definition of the word “impose”, Zigong seems to infer that he wishes to not have this kind of strength and power over people, and that he always wishes that people would return the same for him. This makes imposition seem like a bad thing. But could imposing be a good thing? Later in the book, Confucius says that “Those who are prominent are true in their basic disposition, and seek after what is most appropriate,” (Confucius 12.20). When it comes to laws and decision making, we put those who we believe have the best mindset and character in office to rule. If these people who are prominent are true in their basic disposition, then they will ultimately act upon their pure character and “impose” appropriate laws. Imposing things can be something positive with the right ruler and authority. Another example of imposing is when Confucius is speaking to Zigong and says, “…do not impose on others what you yourself do not want,” (Confucius 15.24). Imposing here is something positive. If one only imposes something that they would not mind, then suddenly, there is a happier and less