What it takes to be a superior human being in Confucianism - Essay Example

29 June, What it takes to be a “superior” human being in Confucianism Confucius has used the term junzi for superior human beings (Carroll). Confucius believes that a junzi is a perfect person. Here, by calling junzi perfect, Confucius does not mean to say that a superior human being can never make mistake. He surely can but what makes junzi perfect is the truth of his moral character, purity of intentions, beauty of actions and their consistency with the individual’s moral character. Confucius was of the view that every human being struggles to become superior to his/her fellows in general and to his/her past and present self in particular.

The goal of a superior human being is not to attain some permanent state of perfection as there isn’t any, but to keep struggling in an attempt to be become better than the present state. According to Confucius, a superior human being listens to the critique with an evaluative attitude and does not turn a deaf ear to something that does not sound pleasing. Superior human beings search for truth and do what is proper in a particular situation at hand. Superior human beings make unbiased decisions and accordingly, do not have anything to expect from others.

This is the reason why they always remain satisfied. “The superior man wouldn't recommend or promote a person based only on his words, nor would he ignore a man's words because of his behavior” (Confucius cited in “The Superior Man”). They do not get involved in controversies against other people and remain calm and quiet. Confucius held the opinion that individual’s inability to perceive and handle the reality is the fundamental cause of social disorder. Quite often, people call one another with wrong names.

When things are not called by their proper names, this promotes social disorder. In Confucianism, a superior human being is the one who calls things by their proper names because calling things by incorrect names does not let the language remain consistent with the truth. This keeps the affairs from being carried on to success. When this happens, music and other proprieties can not flourish which in turn makes the punishments awarded improperly. As a result of this, people become troubled and can not work.

Thus, a superior human being necessarily calls things by their proper names and makes sure that his speech is carried out appropriately. Speech of a superior human being is straight forward and full of truth. There is no room for incorrectness in it. The superior man doesn't seek to satisfy his appetites or pursue a comfortable life. Instead, he works industriously, chooses his words carefully, and looks for the virtuous and talented to point out his mistakes. Those who know him say he is diligent in the pursuit of knowledge.

(Confucius cited in “The Superior Man”). Thus in Confucianism, a superior human being is a normal human being with good habits, nature, and excellent moral character, and his endeavors are more controlled by spiritualism rather than materialism and the desire for worldly gains. Works Cited: Carroll, Jill. “Jen & Li - Confucian Virtues.” 2011. Web. 29 Jun. 2011. . “The Superior Man and the Inferior Man.” n.d. Web. 29 Jun. 2011. .