Synthesis Paper 1.B Revised

What is Philosophy demonstrated in Ancient Chinese Philosophy by Confucius in the way he lays down the assumptions of the solution to the philosophical problem?

The Philosophy demonstrated by Confucius in the way he lays down the assumptions of the solution to the philosophical problem is about following the Way. The Way that is discussed here is grounded on the ways of humanity.

Confucius assumed the solution to the problem of social disorder as that of being engaged to humanity. This is to say that a person should associate his self with humanity if he is to solve a problem concerning humanity. He should live in harmony with other people. It is easier for a sage to familiarize his self with the human actions since he himself is a human person. He can learn to act and acquaint with people since he already has a background about them based on his experiences with them.

Learning to be one with humanity can be understood through understanding the assumptions which are the Tao as a social-moral way, the giving of importance to tradition, the understanding of the basic goodness and intelligence of man, and the developing of a person into a noble man.

First assumption is understanding the Tao as social-moral way. Before I discuss why the Tao is a social-moral character, I will first tackle why humanity is a social mechanism.  As humans, we should live in harmony with other people as it is our nature to be one with them. According to Analects 18:6, one cannot be in union with other creature for it is not his nature to be with them. A person should be one with another person for it is his own kind and that human beings has their own way that is different from other creatures. Now knowing that a person is to be in union with other human beings, I will now proceed to why the Tao takes in a social-moral way.

According to Arthur Waley, he translated the Tao as the principles of truth and right. Meaning it is in the Tao that we understand all things in the world as it is the basis of everything. The Tao is the source of what is true and what is right. There is an obligatory character in which human beings are to follow the Tao as the Tao means, in its Chinese character, the way in which the leader takes. It is an obligatory way for a human being to follow the moral law which is basically the Tao. The link between the two is that the moral law, which is the Tao, is basically based on humanity. Therefore, the way a human being must follow is the way of humanity.

In order to understand the way of human beings, I will discuss, in this part, what it is to be a human being. First of all, humanity sprung up from filial piety and brotherly respect.  Filial piety is the relationship between the father and the son. It is the son showing respect to his father and of the father showing respect to his son. It is the son following the ways of his father and it is the father assisting his child. Brotherly respect on the other hand is the respect between peers or siblings. It is showing that all human beings are equal. There is a sense of respect to each one because a man is as equal to another man.

Therefore, the Tao is a social-moral way because it is the way of humanity. The way of humanity is that it should be with other human beings to be called a human being and that the Tao, which is the moral law, is based on humanity.

Second assumption is recognizing or giving importance to tradition. In here, Confucius puts on emphasis to that a human being should also acknowledge the past. This is to say that the past has something to contribute in solving the problems today. Therefore, the past only inspires the present. It doesn’t mean that whatever happened in the past should be repeated today. The problems faced before are partly different from the problems from the present but it does teaches a person on how to solve it.

Confucius encourages a creative repetition. Meaning a person does not just repeat or inherit whatever is done before but he finds a way in which it is shown to be something new. The importance of tradition is showing the relevance of the past that can has contributed on what the world is now.

Third assumption is having faith in the basic goodness and intelligence of man. This is to say that Confucius believes that a human being is born good, with no bad intention, and that is capable of learning things greatly. Everyone has an identical natural ability which is good and intelligent. Confucius is trying to go against the present condition of the state and society. He wanted to let everyone have an equal opportunity to sit in a public office. He said that public office should be a matter of character and not of ancestral lineage.

In order to fit in any public office, Confucius emphasizes on the availability of education for everyone. He believes that through education, a man will be equipped enough to know things that would help him be a public servant or a noble man (chun tzu).

Confucius is fighting for an equal treatment between men as men are originally equal. The children of noble families should not be the only one to be offered with education that will provide them the skills to be a noble man themselves. Everyone should be offered with the same chance.

Last assumption is the development of a noble man. For Confucius, a noble man must not be gained through ancestral lineage but to be developed. As what I have stated, Confucius is promoting equality to men, thus sitting in a public office or being a noble man must be earned through training and not inheritance.

A public office is not about having power but it is about having responsibilities. The officer must be a superior man. His superiority, however must not be about the rank or position but a superiority of character. A human being must not think of public office as place to gain elevate his self for control over the state and the society. He must think that public office is to elevate the self for the development of the others. His responsibility as a public officer is always to accomplish something for the betterment of his people.

The Philosophy demonstrated by Confucius in the way he lays down the assumptions of the solution to the philosophical problem is about following the Way. The Way that is discussed here is grounded on the ways of humanity.

The four assumptions are needed in creating a solution to the problem which is social disorder. They are also an indicator of being a man one with humanity. This is to say he lives harmoniously with other human beings. Being a man of or with humanity signifies a man following the Way (Tao) as the Way is humanity. Therefore, I can say that Confucius’ Philosophy in the way he lays down the assumptions of the solution to the philosophical problem is about following the Way which is basically humanity.

__________

Reference

Rola, R. (2014). The Confucian solution [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from              
         https://drive.google.com/#folders/0B-MdNEfxdpmxMkF2YTdSakIxY1k