Research Paper on "Tradition Related to East Asian Political Thought"

Research Paper 8 pages (2694 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

In the philosophy of Confucians these matters of social conduct defined a fully evolved and proper civilization. The noble saints of yesteryears had taken the trouble through generations of hard work to instill into a rough Chinese society the fine endowments of a cultured society that are the true and only references of an enlightened civilization. Control over obvious senses is the route to inner truth and enlightenment. The original graphical representation for li demonstrates a ceremonial vessel packed with sacrificial goods on the right, and altar stand to the left (Eno, 2012).

Veneration is vital to li, presuming that soulful renditions and societal responsibilities can make people disciplined. In Chinese culture, li can also be inferred as religious and societal rituals. Consequently, in Chinese culture, courtesy interdependently means adherence to traditional practices of generations and passed on, on their own accord. This is specifically manifested and evidenced in societal and individual reverence and demeanor. However, this is at the best incidental and hence only the most obvious. Confucius stated once, "Control over senses to be gentle is yen." alternatively yen is the transformation one attains when impetuousness gives way to humility and courteousness is li. Confucianism emphasizes that one helps himself as well as others by not imposing one's thoughts and beliefs either in physical or otherwise psychological or mental force (Tang, 2014).

It is by venerating through rituals, the work, and achievements of our forefathers and ancestors, that we imbibe virtues and values. They help us to realize our cultural etos and make us responsible to traditions. Rituals are not acts to herd people into a school of thought; they are means to actualize self-worth and ethical values (Lecture Notes-Magagna, 2013).

Humaneness (Ren)

Ren comprises of zhong and shu. Shu, is the art of looking from the other man's point-of-view. And, zhong is doing things to the best of capability. And hence in being Ren is to be in other man's shoes and hence try to actualize the utmost for them, from their perspective (Hagen, 2007).

Also, Ren is equated with ai (love). Therefore Ren should imply love that is not limited to its psychological implication, rather to the universal meaning of it. Ren resonates with Ren ?, meaning burden. In the Analects, Zengzi offers, "Scholar-officials must be strong and determined, for their burden (Ren) is more, their path (dao) long. Ren ? is their own responsibility (Ren ?). And that is heavy. And they bear it lifelong. Which is definitely long" Thus Ren can be equated with the burden that one takes for loved ones. As Chen Jingpan says,, Ren "is passion as well as compassionate action, both proactive and dormant, inherent, for the betterment of those close to heart." Ren assures that such action taken as burden reaps justified fruits . "Ren, is then the rewards one achieves as a result of the burden borne, the travails undertaken." (Hagen, 2007)

Ren is sum of virtuous qualities, such as "Deference, patience, keeping promises, persistence, and large heartedness." In professing Ren one exemplifies all the virtues of Confucian philosophy. Thus, Ren can be Rendered "comprehensive virtue. Real truth" (Hagen, 2007).

Ren is in totality uniquely human morality, complete virtuosity if not spiritual ideal, materializing by practicing benevolence and compassion. According to Karyn Lai Ren, 'colloquially…is depicted in the consideration for circumstances of the mankind; to be more precise, it is exemplified as compassion towards kinsmen.' According to Ames and Rosemont Ren is 'one's evolution of cognitione, aesthetic values, morality, and religious tolerance as expressed in the formatted roles and connectedness' Ren is even expressed, in part, in 'one's body language, and demeanor, articulations and physical signaling.' Ren is the effect of self-realization accompanied by growth, a learning process that begins at home and pervades through life stages until death. (O'donnel, 2011).

Confucius was asked the coining and implication of the term, Ren, in Analects suggesting that he has not given a full import of the word or a directional proposal to assimilate the connotation, although certain illustrations and examples furnished thereto may be perceived as pointing towards Ren in parts, qualities of or denominations of the coinage (O'donnel, 2011). In as much all of us have some idea of virtues inherently imbibed by the cultures we pervade and values transported on us hence through adherence to li and advancement in life by way of self-realization that closes the gap between Ren, and us which then is the ultimate truth of human life (O'donnel, 2011).

Virtue (de)

Virtue is energy, righteousness, ethical/spiritual brilliance, and best endowments. It is proven by the gentle or compassionate force or influence one by virtue of personal moral values and ethical demeanor and personification of these ideals. Stated simply, de is virtuosity, in practice influencing and actualizing magnificent initiations in practical implications of behavioral value (inspirational, motivational, and so forth) on others. Nozickhas puts forth upon us a telling and awe inspiring understanding of the latent energy in de:

"It is a veritable fact that our being is lifted by thoughts and premises of enlightened and knowledgeable beings who have endeavored to realize a meaningful essence for living and sought to achieve peace and harmony through enduring structures of evolutionary thinking. We gain strength and draw upon to reach greater heights through insightful inferences of virtue of their path of self-realization [Confucian 'self-cultivation'] and serene feeling. They are in direct opposition to those that we experience of a sour mixture of egoism, self-fulfillment, aspirations of domination or destruction, and other degrading feelings, the results of mending ourselves and reorienting our focus to their motivations and trajectories. [….] We are all aware of, hopefully, those that help us grow, and those in front of whom we would be ashamed to make belittling statements or act deprecatingly, the people who glow. We feel evolved when they are around. We are encouraged to pursue the path evolution and tranquility; rather, we become self-inspired to follow righteousness. [….] We seek a better means to find the best expressions for our capacities and potentialities and thereby seek the betterment and evolution of all concerned, to the best of their own capabilities and skills. We seek to utilize our fullest potential towards development, prosperity, and growth in others. (O'donnel, 2011).

These Confucian principles were coined in prehistoric times but transcend time and are applicable though ages, even today. There may be many variations of culture between Confucius' times and modern age, all the same, Confucianism is still very relevant practically even today (Tang, 2014).

References:

DeBary, W.T., et al. 1999. Sources of Chinese Tradition.Vol I: From Earliest Times to 1600. Columbia University Press.

Eno, R. (2012). The Analects of Confucius. Retrieved from http://www.indiana.edu/~p374/Analects_of_Confucius_(Eno-2012).pdf

Hagen, K. (2007). Confucian Keyterms. Retrieved from http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/kurtis.hagen/keyterms_ren.html

Magagna, Victor. Ritual Theory and Perspective. University of California, San Diego. Lecture. Week # 6, 11-7-2013.

O'Donnell, P.S. (2011). The Confucian Worldview: A Rational Reconstruction. Retrieved from http://www.religiousleftlaw.com/2011/04/the-confucian-worldview-a-rational-reconstruction.html

Tang, C.L.Y. (2014). Applying Confucian Virtues in Finance. Retrieved from http://sevenpillarsinstitute.org/essays/applying-confucian-virtues-in-finance

Wong, P.H. (2012). Dao, Harmony and Personhood: Towards a Confucian Ethics of Technology, Philosophy and Technology, 25, 67-68. Doi: 10.1007/s13347-011-0021-z

Yao, X. (2000).An Introduction to Confucianism. UK: University Press,… READ MORE

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