THE WAY OF THE SAGES Prepared by Mr. Roland Lorenzo M. RubenPhilosophy section, SSDDe La Salle University-DasmariasCONFUCIUS (551-479)

CONFUCIUS (551-479)the teacherborn into the Kung (Kong) family in the state of LuPersonal name = Zhong-niKung Fu-Tzu (Kong Fu-zi) = Great Master KungConfucius = Latinization of Kung Fu-TzuLun Yu or the Analects

The ancient State of LuThats where Confucius was born & spent most of his life.Anthem

THEORY OF THE UNIVERSEThe main emphasis in the Analects: HumanismConfucius was concerned primarily with basic human welfareThere are forces in the universe that determine our lives: decree of heaven (tien ming) destiny (ming)

Decree of Heavenwe live in a moral world; morality is part of the very fabric of the universeHeaven is author of the virtue that is in me.A moral imperative for governance, based on the belief that Heaven cares profoundly about the welfare of the common people.Ultimate perfection: cultivating a transcendent morality authored by HeavenIt is possible to resist or disobey the Decree of Heaven

Destinybeyond human control, human comprehension; no human effort has no effect whatsoeverones place in life, social success, wealth, and longevity: due to destiny

ComparisonIf one understands that the material comforts of life are due to DESTINY, one will recognize the futility of pursuing them and will devote all ones effort to the pursuit of Heavens morality.

Decree of HeavenDestinyHumans can conform or not

The only worthy pursuit in life

The true object of ultimate concernBeyond human agency

Material comforts are due to destiny

Simply to be accepted courageously

the WAY (TAO)the Ultimate; the One; the Absolute; the underlying Power; the Sourcethe Way of the sages: the ancient rulers or earlier ideal timesthe Way is linked intimately to the concept of Heaven: the path of proper conductthe way of Heaven can be known through the previous actions of the sagesthe ancient sages: models of the Way to human perfection, the Way to be followed by all peopleThe gentleman stands in awe of three things: the Decree of Heaven, great men, words of the sages.

THEORY OF HUMAN NATUREevery person is potentially a sage, one who acts with extreme benevolenceresult of following the Way of Heaven: JOYa SAGE is a very rare being: I have no hopes of meeting a sage.What is it that enables potential sages to be so misled?Confucius: said very little about human natureHuman beings exercise a freedom of will: we are free to reject or pursue morality and proper conduct we have the ability to resist or conform to the Decree of Heaven, the very source of virtue.While we have no significant choice as to the circumstances of the life we live, we do have a choice as to HOW we live in any given situation.

All human beings are fundamentally the same, we simply become differentiated due to our different ways of being.We are extremely malleable, we can become anything, we are unfinished and in need of constant molding to achieve our ultimate end of moral perfection.Our environment and ways of being significantly determine our character: the sages plays a very important role in shaping the ideal human life.Two views of human nature:First: gentleman: the ideal moral figureSecond: does not clarify whether human nature is good or bad

Human nature:naturally & inherently good - need for cultivation via educationnaturally social & political - development & perfection of human nature within the social & political realmThe human predicament:suffering as a result of failure to follow the Way of the AncestorsDisharmony & conflict between Heaven & Earth, between the ancestors & us; and between humans here on earth

DIAGNOSISHuman beings are out of accord with the Decree of Heaven. Human interaction is marred by strife, rulers govern with attention only to personal gain, common people suffer under unjust burdens, and social behavior is determined by egoism and greed. WHY?

Five causes1.people are attached to profit

Five causes2. society lacks the respect of filial piety

Five causes3.connection between word & action cannot be trusted

Five causes4.ignorance regarding the Way of the Sages prevails

Five causes5.benevolence is absent from human affairs

Confuciuss primary goal:order, harmony, peace, & happiness in this life here on earth(He had only a secondary interest in transcendental salvation.)Solution of problem of suffering: reestablish harmony

PRESCRIPTIONThe cure for the ills of human existence is based on self-discipline.The perfect man: He cultivates himself and thereby brings peace and security to the people. (XIV.42)The ideal ruler rules by personal moral example.

the goal of disciplined action: perfect moral action becomes natural and spontaneous: GENTLEMAN

Five cures1.doing for nothing

Doing what is right simply because it is morally rightRighteousness is its own reward, a joyous reward that transcends any particular social situationEven if all ones effort go unrecognizedYi - righteousness, just and appropriate conduct

Ren (jen) - virtue

Five cures2.the cultivation of self as a good family member

Simply by being a good son and friendly to his brothers a man can exert an influence upon government (II.21)The transformation of society begins with the cultivation of self within the environment of the family; it then spreads out life ripples caused from throwing a pebble in a still pond.Li - Propriety (proper conduct)

Filial Piety (Xiao, Hsiao)(devotion to & reverence for parents & family)The institution of the family is the foundation of a well-ordered & civilized society (grounded mainly on respect of children for parents)Respect for age (experience & wisdom)Li - Propriety (proper conduct)The Five Constant Relationships:parent-childhusband-wifeelder sibling-younger siblingelder friend-younger friendruler-subject

Five cures3.rectification of names (Zheng-ming)

There must be an agreement between name and actuality (proper use of language) Let the ruler be a ruler, the subject a subject, the father a father, the son a son (XII.11)Trust is a critical ingredient of all dependable social interaction.Li - Propriety (proper conduct)

Five cures4.study of the Classics

Studying & learning The arts - especially musicClassics: a collection of books that constitutes the cultural legacy of the pastIt gives expression the Way of the Sages and grants access to the exemplary conduct that leads to moral perfection.When a student finds that he can more than cope with his studies, then he takes office (XIX.13)Wen(learning & the arts)

Five cures5.Excellence: clinging to benevolence at all times while following the golden rule and observing the rites

the Gentleman never deserts benevolence, not even for as long as it takes to eat a meal (IV.5)A benevolent man helps others to take their stand in so far as he himself wishes to take his stand (VI.30)The rites: regulations governing action in every aspect of life; appropriate conduct in a particular situation.Li - Propriety (proper conduct)

Path to PerfectionThe Master said: At fifteen I set my heart on learning; at thirty I took my stand; at forty I came to be free from doubts; at fifty I understood the Decree of Heaven; at sixty my ear was attuned; at seventy I followed my hearts desire without overstepping the line (II.4)

LATER DEVELOPMENTSKAO-TZUhuman nature is intrinsically neither good or badhuman nature is like a whirling water.

Humans are the planets most noble creatures and its most savage.

MENCIUS (371-289 B.C.)human nature is good: human nature = human heartthe heart is a receptacle of 4 incipient tendencies or seeds: compassion benevolence shame dutifulness courtesy observance of the rites sense of right and wrong wisdom

Selfish desire threatens to overwhelm the 4 seeds: the ensnarement of the human heart is the source of all evilOur desiring nature is something we share will all animals, but it is our thinking heart that sets us up to be benevolent sages.Hope for humanity lies in the human heart.The seed of compassion proves that human nature is intrinsically good

HSUN-TZU (298-238 B.C.)human nature is originally evilMan is born with desires.Mans nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.4 incipient tendencies: profit, envy, hatred and desire strife, violence, crime, wantonness

human being: warped piece of woodstraightening board: ritual principlesthe SAGE is someone whose nature has been radically transformed by the Confucian rites

COMPARISON

CRITICAL DISCUSSIONConfucianism teaches OBEDIENCE to superiors. What if the superior is unjust?It looks to the past for guidance. Whose view (writers) of the past should be followed?His view of human perfection is undecidedly masculine. Patriarchal view of man and society.Pragmatic nature of Confucianism has been criticized: limited to human social affairs.

THE WAY OF THE SAGES A benevolent man helps others to take their stand in so far as he himself wishes to take his stand. (VI.30)CONFUCIUS (551-479)