Saturday, November 19, 2011

What are some pros and cons about Confucius philosophy?

What do you like, or deslike in Confucius philosophy?|||Confucius revered the Yellow Emperor, knew of immortals and heaven, and focused on human conduct. When the people in his time did not appreciate his insight, he withdrew, wisely understanding they could not be properly led.





His ethical position, "jen," is goodness, including concern for the well-being of others.





To that end, he emphasized the value of respect for people's social roles, e.g. respect for those who were being parents, those who were elected officials, etc. At the same time, he discerned the goodness or lack thereof e.g. in an elected official.





He understood that a social role has certain attributes such as wisdom, faithfulness, kindness, which are necessary to its proper functioning. Thus, rites, or right-you-all, ritual, when lived, important "ways to be." "A Boy Scout is reverent, thrify, trustworthy, brave (and so on)" is a type of li or set of behaviors (be-having) which, when sincere, help define what a Scout is.





The rites were not to be taken so strictly that they became thickly obscuring of the proper and useful intent of the role. (Jesus in his day noted a similar over-emphasis on minor duties among the Pharisees, a group noted for its strict observance of rules and laws, but perhaps less-merciful and loving than ought be.)





Thus, practical moral awareness, jen, acts as a moral compass and as wisdom (wise dominion) for the social rites (li) and duties (yi).





Loyalty and the silver rule ("Do not unto others, that which you would not have done to you") are framed within jen, a sense of moral goodness.





The "cons" about Confucius' philosophy are mainly those of misinterpretation or incorrect application. If one is too strict, inflexible, proud, lacking genuine jen or moral compass, misplaced loyalty, etc.





"The Masters and Their Retreats," a book by Mark Prophet, has a section on Confucius as he presently is: a Director of a major teaching institution of the Saints, located in the heaven world above the Grand Tetons, Wyoming. Saint John the Baptist is reported to be a major Teacher of the higher life, for the many visitors, there. Mr. Prophet advises asking Saint Michael to escort one's soul to visit the Retreat while one's body rests at night.





cordially,





j.|||I like that its very sensible.





I dislike that its very formulaic.





Advantage: its easy to follow its logic/ rhetoric.





Disadvantage: not good for developing original thought - it might turn you into a snivelling chanter.

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