Describe Confucian Moral Theory and Practice (Term Paper Sample)

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Describe Confucian Moral Theory and Practice
Introduction
The last few decades have seen China and its East Asian neighbor’s record impressive gains, both economically and geopolitically. However, many analysts believe that this Eastward shift of influence and power has little to with the modern history. Unlike the West, East Asian countries are molded on "unique and heavily Confucian traditions that remain distinct from the philosophical, political and economic heritage that has framed the development of Europe and its cultural offspring" (Lin 2). Lin added that since the 80s, Confucianism has played a critical role in the rapid modernization of the East Pacific Region. Indeed, it has influenced the culture of the Chinese people for decades. It is evident that is Confucianism is shaped along morality and ethics is central to its theory and practice. The ethical system of Confucianism is commendable because virtues are highly desirable, both individually and in a social. In this paper, insights into the Confucian moral theory and practice will take center stage.
History of Confucianism
Yao claimed that the word ‘Confucianism’ is traceable to the Jesuits of the 16th century. He continues to state that Confucianism, as a religious and philosophical practice, dates back to 2,500 years in East China (Yao). Confucius is considered as the founder of this school of thought. The real name of Confucius was Kong Qiu. Qiu leaved between 551 and 479 B.C. (Lin). Although he said that he wasn’t the creator but a spreader of older values and traditions of the Chinese society, it’s Confucius and his disciples who explored and elaborated deeply the fundamental principles of what became to be termed as Confucianism. Hence, Confucian and his followers managed to alter the ancient Chinese culture in a great way. By the time he made his last kicks, Confucian teachings had spread beyond China. Sprunger stated that Confucius’ teachings were never meant to be a religion. They had no doctrines associated with religions, such as sacred priesthood and the afterlife. However, Confucius was later deified and uplifted to the post of Emperor and Co-assessor whose deities are in Heaven and Earth. In addition, animal sacrifices have always been administered at his tomb and he has amassed millions of followers (Sprunger). During his time, the political structures of the prevailing Chinese dynasties, due to bad leadership, faced disintegration. Hence, Confucius mission centered on restoring the social and political harmony (Lin). He was to achieve this by enhancing and reviving the moral dispositions of the ruling class and elite. Through his works, Confucius became one of the most influential Eastern philosophers and the most significant representative of the East Asian culture. In fact, "Confucius, together with Socrates, Gautama Buddha, and Jesus Christ were regarded by Jaspers4 as the four paradigmatic individuals, owing to their extended influence through two millennia and their extraordinary importance for all philosophy (Tsao 159).
Confucian Moral Theory and Practice
Confucianism goes beyond the values of the East Asian people. It contains a socio-political program, an ethical system, a religious tradition, among other social-inclined traits. Confucianism acts as a principal ideology and a guiding code of the lifestyles in China and informing the Cultures of many other East Asian countries (Yao). Despite Confucianism having other dimensions, this document will dwell on morality as a core trait of Confucian theory and practice. Confucian is the foundation that holds some codes of moral life, behavioral patterns and guidelines for social and personal daily life (32). Hence, this philosophy orients people in a certain way by defining moral and ethical standards in most parts of East Asia or other places that have adopted it. Going by the Western scholars, the moral dimension is so important to Confucians that Confucianism is, in itself, considered an ethical concept (32). Some modern philosophers also believe that the Confucian moral system was founded in a similar fashion to virtue ethics (33). Yao added that Confucian’s moral instruction and ethical rhetoric could substitute Aristotelian and Thomistic models mostly adopted by the West. In his teachings, Confucius is seen to provide examples of solutions to social setbacks resulting from a deficient of virtues or unwillingness to practice virtues. In this respect, "the Confucian answer is a sort of persuasion enforced by rules of ritual/propriety, while for the so-called ‘weakness of will’ it follows the path of self-cultivation and education" (Yao 33). In his study, Tsao concluded that the four bioethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice can be identified in Confucius teachings. Hence, the moral values that these four principles uphold are acceptable in the Chinese moral philosophy.
Confucian ethics maintains that the inner motives and their external outcomes must be taken into consideration when judging a person’s conduct. Hence, Confucius took a holistic approach in examining characters of people. If we understand how a person’s acts, his motives, and tastes, then, it would be almost impossible for him to cover up his exact character. The believers in this moral philosophy consider three primary virtues as the basis for morality: "humanity or humaneness (ren), ritual propriety (li), and filial respect (xiao)" (Lin). Humaneness is the goodness and love of other people that distinguish us from other mammals. Ren is characterized by the ideal relationship between individuals (Tsao). According to Confucius teachings, ritual propriety (li) entails the outward expression of human behavior. This manifestation must be consistent with specific cultural norms (Lin). Li is translated as appropriate behavioral norms and a society guided by this virtue runs smoothly. This outstanding value consists of a set of moral practices that shaped the traditional Chinese society. It’s the most difficult Confucian teaching to adopt in the modern era since it pulls masses to practices that are a couple centuries old. For example, people must observe a three-year mourning stint for departed parents and use gestures that were in line with one’s social status (Yao). Nonetheless, the inflexibility of li can be dealt with by adopting other Confucian values as the basic moral concepts up which li is grounded. In doing so, li becomes a non essential virtue that can be modified at will. Filial respect (xiao) obliged mankind to have respect for elders (Liu). This virtue is naturally-occurring and is the foundation of other virtues. Filial respect is by far the most famous Confucian morality. For instance, one was required to bow to his superiors.
Confucian morality also spins around the family and the society. Yao reaffirmed that the Confucian moral theory and practice is best illustrated by the cultivation of character (Xiushen). Self-cultivation is the foundation of all morality. A good character is a representation of the norms in families and the society in general. Confucianism stresses family values through the five main forms of human relationships, the wu-lun (Tsao). Human relationships include the relationship involving rulers and subordinates, children and parents, old and younger siblings and husbands and wives and between friends (160). The idea is to fulfill responsibilities to each other sincerely and with a conscientious heart. The wu-lun characterized the Chinese culture and institutions, from governance down to interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, it has far-reaching influences on the ways of lives of people in the East Pacific region. Confucian doctrine sees family values as the cornerstone of social order and peace in the world. Given that the family is the fundamental component of the society, a morally upright family translates into a harmonious world or peaceful states. Many applications of this theme exist. For instance, the Confucian history applied this concept to religious, political, ethics and mental and physical health. According to Yao, Confucian ethics is not only about moral issues but politics and other matters affecting a nation and the globe. Therefore, self-cultivation merges with social-political reform. Confucius believed that political order must be fashioned on social order, and social order must established from individual advancement (Tsao). In this sense, moral virtues are essential in governing. Going by the teachings of Confucius, an ethical leader is the best bet for social and political reforms since he will trickle down his good morals to the subjects. In return, common people will become ethically-cultivated. Another important aspect of se...