When Socrates Meets Confucius
Confucius and Socrates both have a very definite perspective of an person and how he/she should live their life. However these perspectives do differ in specific areas and that is what brings me to compare and contrast on both philosophers.
"He acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions" (Confucius 2-13). Confucius says that we shouldn't speak about what we don't know, just as Socrates is known for saying "I am wise because I know nothing." Both of them seem to imply that a virtuous man knows nothing, and yet that is the key to knowledge itself.
Socrates believes a just man is a man who knows the difference between what is right and wrong and will act upon it, but also believes that a just man is not skilled or educated in any of the other right areas. "Socrates: 'But is the just man or the skillful player a more useful and better partner at a game of draughts?' Polemarchus: 'The skillful player.' Socrates: 'And in the laying of bricks and stones is the just man a more useful or better partner than the builder?' Polemarchus: 'Quite the reverse'" (Republic Part III). Socrates also goes on to say, "And so of all the other things; -justice is useful when they are useless, and useless when they are useful?" (Republic Part III) Socrates believes here that a just man is nearly useless due to the overbearing skills others possess that he doesn't. "Then justice is not good for much." (Republic Part III) Socrates distinctly doesn't believe that being just is the way to go. He sees justice as a very good quality to have, but points out that it is pushed aside and passed up by those with skills in every other area.
Both philosophers tend to sway their own way when it comes to practices. Confucius tends to focus on internal reflection and the role of the student, such as how situations make you feel and how you feel you should act. Confucius also seems to believe that the role of the student is to apply their knowledge and figure things out and
"He acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions" (Confucius 2-13). Confucius says that we shouldn't speak about what we don't know, just as Socrates is known for saying "I am wise because I know nothing." Both of them seem to imply that a virtuous man knows nothing, and yet that is the key to knowledge itself.
Socrates believes a just man is a man who knows the difference between what is right and wrong and will act upon it, but also believes that a just man is not skilled or educated in any of the other right areas. "Socrates: 'But is the just man or the skillful player a more useful and better partner at a game of draughts?' Polemarchus: 'The skillful player.' Socrates: 'And in the laying of bricks and stones is the just man a more useful or better partner than the builder?' Polemarchus: 'Quite the reverse'" (Republic Part III). Socrates also goes on to say, "And so of all the other things; -justice is useful when they are useless, and useless when they are useful?" (Republic Part III) Socrates believes here that a just man is nearly useless due to the overbearing skills others possess that he doesn't. "Then justice is not good for much." (Republic Part III) Socrates distinctly doesn't believe that being just is the way to go. He sees justice as a very good quality to have, but points out that it is pushed aside and passed up by those with skills in every other area.
Both philosophers tend to sway their own way when it comes to practices. Confucius tends to focus on internal reflection and the role of the student, such as how situations make you feel and how you feel you should act. Confucius also seems to believe that the role of the student is to apply their knowledge and figure things out and