Synthesis Paper 1.C Revised

What is Philosophy as demonstrated in Ancient Chinese Philosophy by Confucius in the way he characterizes the ideal human being?

Philosophy as demonstrated in Ancient Chinese Philosophy by Confucius in the way he characterizes the ideal human being is following the human virtues as it will guide them in dealing other human beings. This means that Confucius is suggesting set of virtues that a person should follow in order to be an ideal human being.

If man wishes to be an ideal human being, he has to know what it is to be a human being. Knowing what it is to be a human being means that he has to be with other human beings. This means to say that knowing things about human beings can be learned only through acquainting his self with fellow men.

In here, Confucius is discussing the different virtues a person has to know and apply when he wanted to be an ideal human being and that means being a noble man. The first virtue is for man to love man. Meaning, man has to form his moral character through loving other people. This love for others however, can be achieved if the person has loved his self first which can be felt when the person experienced being loved. It is through experiencing the love from others and from the self that he will be able to show love.

There are different types of love that is to be shown by man. First is the love like that of spouses. Meaning this is the kind of love that treats everybody equal. In here, the respect is extended to those brothers even if they are different from the person. The relationship established here goes beyond the race or kinship between the persons involved. Brotherly respect refers to the common respect everyone has to have.

Second is the love like that of parent and child. This type of love is that which shows respect to those who are superior and inferior to the person. Meaning, this is the type of relationship that is established through obedience and piety. Obedience here refers to following the orders or the norms in order to create a harmonious living between men. Obeying the norms however, requires the intention of the person. It means that the person following it knows why he is following it and not just for mere showing off. On the other hand, piety refers to the devotion the person puts in obeying the orders and the norms. Just like obedience, the devotion should also need intention coming from the person. This requires sincerity from him and not just mere compliance to the norm.

The love for man or humanity can be expressed through conscientiousness and altruism.

Conscientiousness is the loyalty of the person in doing the things for humanity. This means that humanity is expressed through the person’s habit of doing it. Learning humanity doesn’t mean that a person can be considered a man of humanity. To be called a man of humanity, the person must be consistent to what he is doing. There must be a sense of commitment from the person to his action. In doing such actions, he must not think of what others might think of him. This means that he does not care if others are watching him or not. The sincerity of the person must not be measured by the praise or recognition he gets. If the person really is a noble man, then he is a noble man regardless of whether the people are aware or not.

Since conscientiousness is an expression of humanity, therefore it is done to and with other human beings. It cannot be expressed to the self and by the self. Another thing also is that conscientiousness is cultivating not just the self but also the others. This means that the cultivation of the self is done through cultivating others too. This act is establishing relationships with the other human beings.

The next expression is altruism. Altruism or reciprocity is the completion of conscientiousness. It refers to the response that is needed when confronted with different attitudes. It is simply the application of the so-called Golden rule, “Do not do unto others what you do not want other to do unto you”. Confucius said that if a person has done something bad toward another person, the same thing would happen to him. Rudeness is a response of a person towards the rudeness of the other. The reaction or response of a person does not mean or signifies the differences between the two but because of the action he has done.

Altruism is the completion of conscientiousness because it is in here that the person can show his seriousness in what he is doing. This means that he has not only loved and respected others but also he has shown his self love and respect.

Second virtue is righteousness. Righteousness in being fair in a given situation. It is acting basin on what is right.  A superior man does not take sides on a given situation. He thinks and listens to every side of the story. He is not narrow minded. He weighs down circumstances and base his decision from there.

Next virtue is propriety. This virtue is doing what is the right thing to do. The right thing to do is sometimes based on rules or laws imposed. Confucius emphasized on doing what is proper, to what is according to the rules. Although Confucius is saying that the proper way to do things is through following the rules, he still puts emphasis on having intention in doing the rules or practices.

The virtue of propriety disciplines a person because he knows that there are certain regulations to be followed in order to bring harmony between men. This means to say that despite the differences among the people, because of the rules, which are proper, it creates harmony among them. It grounds the person and tells him his place in the society.

The last virtue is the virtue of wisdom. Wisdom is doing the duties of man through the ways of humanity. Meaning, the completion of the learned knowledge of being an ideal man is done through acting it out or living it out. Being a man of wisdom means that a person does not settle by knowing human beings but aims to be an ideal human being.

Therefore, Philosophy as demonstrated in Ancient Chinese Philosophy by Confucius in the way he characterizes the ideal human being is following the human virtues as it will guide them in dealing other human beings.  This means that Confucius classifies the ideal human being as a man of humanity, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. All these virtues cannot be done or practiced by isolating the self but through engaging the self with other human beings. To be with other human beings tests your virtues.