Confucius and Zhuangzi Issues - Essay Example

Kong Fu-Zi, the great Chinese thinker and master of philosophical thought, known to the world as Confucius, by the Latinized version of his name, gave to the world invaluable treatises on human conduct, individual morality, ethical issues and most significantly, the proper use of power by rulers and politicians. Confucius took the teachings of the ancient Chinese and moulded them in such way, so as to address the needs of his time. His system of thinking and philosophy came to be known as “Confucianism.” His highly acclaimed teachings influenced the Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Taiwanese besides the Chinese people. The Confucian school of thought in the 5th century B.C. laid the groundwork for the codification and compression of the various strands of Chinese thought into a coherent and accessible whole. Confucius also paved the way for the proper codification of the culture prevalent during his time. The Ethics taught by Confucius is considered by many as a kind of virtue ethics, where the behavior of people are procured by witnessing living examples instead of just following rules that teach behavior. Confucius was born in 521 B.C. into an aristocratic family of a lower order of impoverished knights. He lived during the second half of the Zhou dynasty (1027-256 B.C.) a period of constant civil strife, when feudalism had broken down, and there was a breakdown of government machinery and moral standards had become lax. Confucius was determined to remedy the situation and believed that the only way of doing it, was to go back to the days of antiquity and follow the principles and precepts set out by the wise men of the time. Armed with this determination and backed by the knowledge of the wise of yore, Confucius set up a school. Confucius’ philosophy was centered on humanism and he stressed upon the free will of individuals. Zhuangzhi, also known as Chuang Tzu, is another great Chinese thinker whose writing has a more philosophical tone, albeit it also stresses on what Confucius taught. Both thinkers laid great emphasis on the idea of Dao and De. Dao is the monistic theory that is responsible for the spontaneity that is found in all phenomena, while De or the “Inner Power” is the manifestation of these phenomena. It is the inherent power in an individual that can be built by practice and lead to a better life. As humans engage in cultivating their inner selves, it creates a ripple effect, and soon the results of the enlightened human are felt by the social and political system. Thomas Berry says that the experiences of “feeling communion with the real, they set themselves on perfecting humans themselves and the universe by increasing this sympathetic presence of things to each other, within a personal and social discipline rather than by intellectual analysis and understanding.” The times in which Confucius & Zhuangzhi lived were strife-torn and they advocated and propagated theories which would bring peace to the embattled citizens of the time. Confucius laid emphasis on Tai Chi or the ultimate, which is an integration of the opposing energies of Yin and Yang, and can be transformed into multifarious forms. All objects in the Universe are described in relation to the other and it is a school of transformation. Confucius hoped to change the violent nature of the people by bringing about a transformation in their way of living and thinking. The family being the smallest unit in society, he stressed the doctrine of “Make the home correct, and the country will be stable”. His various aphorisms stressed on the right way of life and to invigorate one’s self through a proper pursuit of knowledge, because ‘What the Great Learning teaches, is-to illustrious virtue, to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence”(The Great Learning). The teachings contained in Zuangzhi support a life of withdrawal from public life to a private life, where man lives as a recluse and cultivates his inner self. It supported a life away from society where man can exercise his individual freedom, while Confucianism propagated a life within the confines of society, but with a measure of self-sacrifice. Both Confucius and Zhuangzhi have set out morals for rulers which should be their guiding principle. First and foremost, rulers should lead by example and all their efforts should be directed towards alleviating the misery of their citizens. The age in which Confucius lived, being a period of wars, he discarded foolhardy bravery for careful planning, saying that in a war, he would like to “take someone who approaches difficulties with due caution, who likes to plan precisely and carry it out.” The Analects, in which are found the teachings of Confucius conclude by saying that a gentleman understands heavenly commands, the rules of proper behaviour and is able to understand the real meaning behind words. He reserves greatest respect for all those rulers who renounce their throne and the humble folk who eschew violence, even when it is the only way out of their sufferings. The powers which come with ruler - ship are denounced by Zhuangzhi, because for him the purpose of life is to support “… one’s own person… its left over are for running a state, its discards are for ruling the empire.” When looked at from this point, the achievements of the emperors are the things left behind by the sages, because it prevents a man from realizing his true self (Graham, p.227). Zhuangzhi’s teachings have a mystical aura and are sometimes removed from reality, because they do not accept that there are more prosaic matters and practical things needed for the smooth running of the world. Zhuangzhi’s philosophical style made people view his ideas as irrational and impractical, and he believed more in philosophical fantasizing rather than arguing for methods as they ought to be treated. Confucius and Zhuangzhi’s philosophies are a result of the times in which they lived and they sought to inculcate a semblance of peace and contentment within the warring factions of their country by reminding the people of the halcyon days of the past. Confucius sought to improve the self, knowing full well, that only this can bring about moral excellence (Chan, 2000) Confucius draws out the cosmological unity wherein heaven, earth and humans form a triad connected to each other. The humans are the “hsin” or the understanding heart of the universe and it is through their efforts at self improvement that society and the larger world become a better place. This self cultivation is possible through education, and Confucius stressed on the knowledge of the understanding heart, more than that of a thinking brain. Confucius serves as an ultimate model of exemplary good human behavior, not a deity that teaches abstract principles. One of his most famous teachings is the “Golden Rule.” Adept Kung asked: "Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout life?" The Master replied: "How about 'shu' [reciprocity]: never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself?"Analects XV.24, tr. David Hinton. In other words, Confucius's teaching may be considered a Chinese example of humanism. (Lee 1995,pp. 1 – 3) References Graham, Angus Charles, (1967), ‘The Background of the Mencian Theory of Human Nature,’ Tsing Hua Journal of Chinese Studies 6:1,2. Repr. Studies in Chinese Philosophy and Philosophical Literature, ed. Graham. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1990 Chan A.K.L. Confucian Ethics and the Critique of Ideology. Asian Philosophy. Volume 10, Number 3, 1 November 2000 , pp. 245-261(17) Routledge. Confucian Ethics and the Critique of Ideology http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/casp/2000/00000010/00000003/art00004?crawler=true Thomas Berry http://www.thomasberry.org/Biography/tucker-bio.html Zhuangzi (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/zhuangzi/ Chinese Sages by Sanderson Beck http://www.san.beck.org/GPJ2-ChineseSages.html#2 MAP INTERNATIONAL, INC. - Confucianism http://www.mapint.org/confucianism Read More