Confucianism

Matthew Swift

THA 379

Dr. Etling

Confucianism

The teachings of Confucious revolve around living a viruous life. In his view a

world in which everyone holds themselves to a high standard of virtuous thought and

action is an ideal world. He believes that the common good is attained through the three

main virtues, Jen, Shu, and Li.

The virtue of Jen is one that is based on attitude. It is a virtue that is based on

looking out for the good of others. Confucius believed very highly in cooperation and

taught that having the virtue of Jen meant that one would cooperate with society and thus

promote the common good. The Jen attitude also place the value of people in very high

regard and because of this high regard one treats others very kindly.

The virtue of Shu is basically the same as the golden rule of christianity. Anything

that you would not want done to you do not do to other people. Having the virtue of Shu

meant that one was conscious of the affect that their actions have on other people and if

very careful to make sure that the affect in not negative.

The last virtue Li is the result of Jen and Shu. It is all of the great things that come

because of the first two virtues. In Confucius' opinion this was best displayed during the

fuedal period in Chinese history. This was the best example of a social order in which

everything was in its right place. Li was the proper execution of a religious

and moral way

of life.

The confucianist teachings are in many ways what a civilized and humane society

would view as common sense or the