Confucianism?

[Sphinx777]

What do you think of Confucianism as a model for modern conceptualizations of social conduct?

 

[Sphinx777]

I for one think that Confucianism should be seen as a model for social conduct. He argues that men are responsible for their actions and especially for their treatment of others. Confucius' social philosophy largely revolves around the concept of ren, “compassion” or “loving others.” Cultivating or practicing such concern for others involved deprecating oneself.

Golden Rule: “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others;” “Since you yourself desire standing then help others achieve it, since you yourself desire success then help others attain it.” A concern for propriety should inform everything that one says and does. Most of his philosophy can be seen in some of our religious teachings.

 

[PantsMcFist]

I like Confucianism quite a lot. In the sociological sense of religion, it is the quintessential functional religion.

 

[lisah]

I am only slightly familiar with some of it, but it was decades ago and I can't remember specifics. I do remember that it made a lot of sense to me at the time though. It's certainly worth taking another look at.

 

[Sphinx777]

Ren is most commonly associated with Confucius and his usage of the word to describe the inward expression of Confucian ideals. It is the common belief that Confucius was the one to coin the term rén, but this is in fact, not true. Before the time of Confucius, the word rén had not been used frequently, not even in literature. The few cases of its use indicate that it denoted the bountiful kindness of an ideal ruler to his inferiors. (Dubs 1) By whom, and precisely when the term of rén was actually coined is unknown, but the popular understanding and usage of rén that we know today can be attributed to Confucius. The choice of this particular word by Confucius to describe his inward ideals has been a question that has been asked by scholars for centuries.

The term, rén, is unquestionably rough to translate; it could be summed up to mean "complete virtue", as it embodied the values of a number of moral obligations that Chinese Society followed during the time of Confucius and onward.(Do-Dinh 102) The character for ren is composed of two graphic elements, one representing a human being and the other representing the number two. Based on this, one often hears that ren means "how two people should treat one another." While such folk etymologies are common in discussions of Chinese characters, they often are as misleading as they are entertaining. In the case of ren - usually translated as "benevolence" or "humaneness" - the graphic elements of a human being and the number two really are instructive, so much so that Peter Boodberg suggested an evocative translation of ren as "co-humanity."

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Yan Hui, considered to be Confucius' most outstanding student, once asked his master to describe the rules of rén, receiving the answer that he should, "see nothing improper, hear nothing improper, say nothing improper, do nothing improper." Confucius believed humanity to be good at its very core and therefore considered rén to be a part of everyone. Rén was believed to be a natural quality inside of every person. Confucius spoke these words expelling the ease of practicing rén: "it [rén] is not far off; he who seeks it has already found it." Rén is close to man and never leaves him. (Do-Dinh 107)



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[BobW188]

I'd have to get a copy of the Analects and refresh my memory before I could comment with any authority; but it does have a great deal of appeal. The problem seems to be, as the history of China shows, that you cannot just go through the motions. For true Confucianism to work, you have to know it, believe it, and live it; and to remember that virtue itself can be learned but cannot be legislated.

 

[Alexander Nevsky]

I love Confucianism. It is the soul of the Chinese people. Basic principles of the teachings of Confucius are: The Path [Dao = 道], which all good (“noble”, according to him) men have to follow in order to reach the Sky [Tian = 天], where true wisdom dwells. This is known to Confucianists as The Path of the Sky [天道]: Confucianists sought to become and to meet other “men with noble feelings (or hearts)”, and Confucius taught that true nobility is inner nobility. Honesty is very important for Confucianists. They preached that if they had to choose between life and honesty they would choose the latter. Also, brotherhood of men, devotion, acting decently, are all central to Confucian thought. These are the virtues which Confucianists follow in order to achieve true wisdom of Tian Dao.

A good man is the one who, when he faces the chance to become rich, wonders if this is indeed right. “Confucius” [Analects 14:3, 16:10]

 

[Sphinx777]

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Revival of Confucianism Part 1
Revival of Confucianism Part 2
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Revival of Confucianism Part 3
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[~Wisdom Seeker~]

What do you think of Confucianism as a model for modern conceptualizations of social conduct?

I think Confucianism is just as good of a model for modern conceptualization of social conduct as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism (and others). Because their core social values (ethics) are almost identical.

 

[Sphinx777]

I think Confucianism is just as good of a model for modern conceptualization of social conduct as Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism (and others). Because their core social values (ethics) are almost identical.

Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are One,
a litang style painting portraying three men laughing by a river stream,
12th century, Song Dynasty.
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[~Wisdom Seeker~]

As far as core values go, they're all "one", IMO. ...It's where they get into theological belief systems of who and what God is, that they differ.

 

[&Abel]

I for one think that Confucianism should be seen as a model for social conduct. He argues that men are responsible for their actions and especially for their treatment of others. Confucius' social philosophy largely revolves around the concept of ren, “compassion” or “loving others.” Cultivating or practicing such concern for others involved deprecating oneself.

Golden Rule: “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others;” “Since you yourself desire standing then help others achieve it, since you yourself desire success then help others attain it.” A concern for propriety should inform everything that one says and does. Most of his philosophy can be seen in some of our religious teachings.

17(AO)So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, (AP)that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the (AQ)futility of their mind, 18being (AR)darkened in their understanding, (AS)excluded from the life of God because of the (AT)ignorance that is in them, because of the (AU)hardness of their heart;
19and they, having (AV)become callous, (AW)have given themselves over to (AX)sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20But you did not (AY)learn Christ in this way,
21if indeed you (AZ)have heard Him and have (BA)been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22that, in reference to your former manner of life, you (BB)lay aside the (BC)old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the (BD)lusts of deceit,
23and that you be (BE)renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24and (BF)put on the (BG)new self, which (BH)in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
25Therefore, (BI)laying aside falsehood, (BJ)SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are (BK)members of one another.
26(BL)BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27and do not (BM)give the devil an opportunity.
28He who steals must steal no longer; but rather (BN)he must labor, (BO)performing with his own hands what is good, (BP)so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
29Let no (BQ)unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for (BR)edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
30(BS)Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were (BT)sealed for the day of redemption.
31(BU)Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be (BV)put away from you, along with all (BW)malice.
32(BX)Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, (BY)just as God in Christ also has forgiven [a]you.

the most effective deceptions are based on or contain many aspects of truth but just enough deception to lead you into the darkness and towards death

confucius = 666