Discuss Confucius (Essay Sample)

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Confucius
Also known as Kong Qui, Confucius is one of the greatest personalities in the history of China. He grew up to become a politician and philosopher whose teachings later came to have a great impact on human life (Clements). His family lived in Lu Province in the northern part of China. Due to his wise teachings, he became very influential to the Chinese people. He drew his teachings from the way he lived and observed the society. Confucius led a very difficult life with a single parent in a society that was never welcoming. This inspired him to come up with philosophies that he thought could help improve the way people interacted within the society (McArthur). He was majorly concerned with leadership, education and humanity. Before his death, little emphasis was put on his teachings. However, after his death, most people came to appreciate his efforts and adopted his teachings that came into records. During his life, there were a number of loyal people who believed in him and helped him achieve his mission even after his death. Among the works done by Confucius was The Four books and The Five Classics (Clements). It is worth to focus on the life of this great philosopher who has transformed the lives of many people today.
Confucius’ Life
Confucius was born in 550 B.C. to parents whose love life was very controversial. The society had rejected the marriage between his father and mother terming it as an ‘illicit union’. This is because; the father was an old man, at the age of sixties, who got married to a teenage girl, Confucius mother (McArthur). When he was three, he lost his father after which he had to struggle in poverty as his mother was not capable of making much money. They also faced hostility from the society which did not recognize the marriage of his parents. His father held a junior position in the military office. He had been married to two different wives who had not been able to give birth to a baby boy. This had resulted to this relationship that the society objected. In this society, it was not right for an old man to get married to a teenage girl. It was therefore difficult to lead life in such a state and the mother opted to move out to a different location where they led a new life (McArthur).
In his days, Confucius lived a life characterized by feudalism. The society was also characterized by bad morals. He yearned to see a society that was orderly with good morals. He experienced a leadership where the rich disregarded the poor. He was not pleased with this kind of leadership and all his efforts were directed towards educating the leaders on justice and equal treatment (McArthur). This made him to come up with philosophies he thought would transform the nation. Through his efforts, he had gained popularity and recognition in the society that made him secure a chance to serve in the cabinet. Though most people opposed him, the position had given him a better platform to educate people about good morals. Unfortunately, he would no longer stand the opposition and he decided to resign from his position.
Confucius later moved out of Lu to different places in the country in an attempt to persuade top leaders in the society to consider his sentiments. Despite the fact that most leaders recognized him; no one agreed to appoint him to hold any position. He had very few options left. Despite this, he was still passionate about transforming the society. He decided to dedicate his efforts towards writing and teaching people about his philosophies (McArthur). While he was alive, he had managed to get a number of loyal followers who were willing to assist him to spread his word. They supported him and after his death in 479 B.C., they still held his teachings. After his death, the followers gained much recognition and they were considered for major government positions. It is after their appointments that they were able to assert Confucius’ philosophies and teachings which were received well by the society. His teachings were able to transform so many sectors including the health, education, families, ethics, conformation to standards, honor for ancestors as well as upholding traditional values (McArthur). These followers had played a major role in spreading the word and, later, Confucianism was adopted by many religions in China.
Confucius’ Philosophies (Confucianism)
Confucius’ philosophies were not based on religion. His philosophies were mainly to guide people’s conduct and ethics in the society (Clements). People in his society had always believed that anything occurring naturally has a soul. They recognized the existence of the gods which they highly regarded. The society understood that every individual was obliged to worship and obey the spirits. Confucius’ philosophies always disregarded the existence of the spirits insisting that people should not put emphasis on things that cannot be seen. Confucius was ever concerned on real life situations and never had interest in things that were unseen. He taught people to make their personal judgments using their common sense rather than seek the help of spirits and ancestors. He had influenced his followers and they too discouraged people from depending on spirits and ancestors rather than themselves (Clements). They reiterated that people’s problems would not be solved by ancestors. They also encouraged people to come together and share ideas so as to solve their problems. They believed that whenever people faced difficulties, critical thinking was the best way to find solutions. They regarded those who sorted help from spirits and ancestors as unwise.
Confucius, however, believed that God exists. Although he never discussed much about God, he advised people not to go against his will (Clements). Nevertheless, his maintained his stand that people had the responsibility to attain good morals. God is not responsible for human behavior and therefore no one should seek his help. In his arguments, humans are free people and they are responsible for their actions. He considered change as a personal choice. In his view, human life is a gift and everybody was supposed to use it well. People ought to do good to others as they also expect good in return. He believed in a society where everyone was treated fairly and equally. The purpose of humankind is to have good morals and respect for others (Clements).
When compared to the Christian life, there occur major differences in the views held by the two parties. While Confucius holds that human beings have the responsibility to attain good morals, Christians understand that it is God who gives morals. Drawing teachings from the bible, Christians understand that all things are only possible through God. Human beings must give their lives unto God to achieve anything. Christians put more emphasis on the life in heaven as opposed to Confucian who emphasizes on human life and behaviors on earth (Clements).
The Moral Ethics of Confucius
In his teachings, Confucius puts more focus on three principles. These include the Jen, Li and Chun-Tzu principles (McArthur). The Li Principle means that people should have mutual respect and good behaviors. Confucius expected the society to regard all individuals without considering their social class. He desired to see a change in the society, having been a victim of discrimination and mistreatment. He believed that everyone would like to be fairly treated by others. The second principle Jen, is considered the most important aspect of Confucianism (McArthur). This principle is based on the fact that everyone should do good to others. People should embrace brotherhood and always be there for one another. Confucius believed that people who help others are the most successful. He urged people to care for others and help them when need arises (McArthur). The Chun - Tzu principle holds that a person should always act as a gentleman. Gentlemen always have good ethics and are respectful. He held that all people need to be kind, honest and fair to others. They should also know how to administer justice. He stood for a society which could uphold these principles (McArthur).
Confucius’ Understanding of Humankind
Confucius believed that it was good to be human. Excellency, to him, is for everyone. It would, however, take every individual’s personal effort to achieve excellency (McArthur). Some of the major aspects humans need to consider to achieve excellency are education, self-discipline and dedication. He was disappointed that no one ever showed interest to achieve excellency. Christians have expressed different views as drawn from the bible. The...