Ethics Workbook I: World History, Chapter 5 Ancient China

Ethics Workbook I:

World History Chapter 5

 Ancient China

 Now we are going to trace the idea of virtues from Greece across the world to China, and learn about a famous philosopher named Confucius. Confucius lived even longer ago than Socrates and Aristotle, and he was a teacher who had a lot to say about right and wrong. Remember that eastern civilizations like Egypt stressed balance between humans and the world around them. People were not expected to control nature, but to live in harmony with it. Keep this idea constantly in mind. When Confucius was growing up, China was a dangerous and unpredictable country. It was very violent and governments were corrupt. Confucius was worried about how people could live safe and happy lives, and like Socrates and Aristotle, Confucius believed that good government was the key. Confucius loved formality, and what he called propriety. He believed that people should be polite to each other, and should be treated with respect. This rule was the most important rule people could live by. All human relationships had rules of propriety or a formal code of behavior that dictated the roles people must play. How a father should act toward his son, for example, or how a younger friend should behave toward an older friend were all mapped out by Confucius. To upset this would be to upset the balance of nature. This idea is very typically Eastern in its way of looking at life. Confucius’s ideas became very influential in China and all over Asia. He wrote a set of rules for people to live by that was supposed to result in a well ordered, stable and happy society. Let’s see if we can figure out, from some of Confucius's words, more about what he believed in and then compare his ideas with the ideas of Socrates and Aristotle. This will be a good way to better understand the society Confucius was trying to create, and to decide what we think about it. The duke asked Confucius about government. Confucius replied, “there is government, when the Prince is Prince, and the minister is minister; when the father is father, and the son is the son.” 

Here’s that part about roles that we just mentioned. Think about this idea. Do people play roles in life? How important is it to play the part you’re supposed to play? See if you can give an example. Students should as much as possible relate concepts to their real lives and discuss issues among themselves. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Here is more of what Confucius has to say:

A man asked the master what was the first thing to consider when establishing a government and the master replied, “names.” If names are not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth. If language be not in accordance with the truth, affairs. cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties … do not flourish. When proprieties do not flourish, punishments will not be properly given. When punishments are not properly given, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. 

Now here’s that part about formality and politeness. How important do you think it is to be polite and respectful? What good does it do? What about names? Is it important what people call each other? Obviously many openings for discussion will emerge. Follow the discussion wherever students take it. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. But that’s not all there is in this quote. There are definitely clues about the kind of government Confucius was thinking about, and also about his opinion of average people. Write a short statement telling what you can learn about Confucius from these lines. Confucius has no confidence in the masses and expects a hierarchical elite to govern. Students will respond to this. Try to relate this to our  society today.

 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Confucius’s view of the role of the people in government is certainly different from that of the ancient Greeks. Let’s look more carefully at some more of what Confucius had to say. Draw some conclusions from each of the following statements. Confucius said, “those who are born with the possession of knowledge are the highest class of people. Those who learn, and so readily get possession of knowledge are the next. Those who are dull and stupid, and yet can learn, are another class next to these. Those who are dull and stupid and do not learn; they are the lowest of the people.” The master said, “people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it.” The relation between superiors and inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass; the grass must bend, when the wind blows across it. Confucius, Analects ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. From all of this you might conclude that Confucius believed that government must rely on raw power to maintain order. But this is too simple. Remember, Confucius was a great philosopher who studied right and wrong, and he was seeking a lasting way for all people to be happy. If you believe, as Confucius did, that people are vastly unequal in all respects, what sort of system do you think would promote peace and harmony? See if you can predict Confucius’s answer. A man asked about government and the master said, “the requisites of government are that there be enough food, enough military equipment, and the confidence of the people in their ruler.” The man said: “if it cannot be helped and one of these must be lost, which of the three should be given up first?” “The military equipment,” said the master. The man asked again, “if it cannot be helped, and one of the remaining two must be lost, which of them should be given up?” The master said, “part with the food. People die; but if the people have no faith in their rulers, the state itself will die.” Ethics Workbook I ©Anthony Tiatorio 1999 32 Confucius, Analects ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Knowing what you do about Confucius’s view of average people, why do you think he believed that the ruler needed their approval? Think about the eastern way of looking at things. Everyone has a place in society and everyone should be happy in it. Discord will lead to conflict and a breakdown of harmony. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Confucius believed that certain superior people should lead society by example. They should serve in government, and provide the leadership society needs. To be successful these superior people must be virtuous, and act with propriety. The master said, “he who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the North Pole Star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.” Confucius, Analects What virtue do you think Confucius saw in this kind of behavior? Steadfast adherence to one’s duty. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. There are three principles of conduct which the man of high rank should follow: that in his words and actions he keep from violence; and he be sincere; and that he avoid bad language. Confucius, Analects How important is it for government officials to set a good example? What about other role models like athletes and entertainers, do they have any influence? Do you agree with Confucius that people are generally molded by what they see and hear? This is obviously a rich invitation to discussion. Try to avoid following the same strategy. For example, reports on heros and role models might work here.

 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. The Master said, ‘if the people be led by laws, which rely on punishments, they will try to avoid the punishments, but have no sense of shame.” If they be led by virtue, and by the rules of propriety, they will have the sense of shame, and moreover will become good. 

The superior people display great virtues and lead by example. This sounds a lot like Aristotle doesn’t it? Read each of the following quotes from Confucius and explain why you think Socrates or Aristotle would agree or disagree. Treat this like a test. Be as specific as you can. Try to quote something directly from Socrates or Aristotle in your answer. The master said, “perfect virtue is according to the constant mean!” Confucius, Analects Who does this sound like? Remember, be specific. This coincides perfectly with Aristotle’s concept of the Golden Mean. Students should be expected to support generalizations with specific evidence and quotes from the readings. The master said, “by nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.” Confucius, Analects What would Aristotle say? Again this is very much in keeping with Aristotle’s view that ethics is learned through practice and ingrained into habit. “What is called a great minister, is one who serves his prince according to what is right, and when he finds he cannot do so, retires.” Confucius, Analects Does this sound like Socrates? What do you think? This corresponds well to Socrates conclusion that he must obey the law or get out of the society. Chinese Tales Folk stories, tales and fables are a way to teach moral lessons. You already read some fables from ancient Greece by Aesop. See if you can figure out the message in the following tales from ancient China. That’s True Two men who had been arguing asked Confucius to settle the dispute. 

 “We disagree about whether the sun is closer to us at dawn or at noon. I say the sun is nearer to us at dawn,” one man said, “because when it comes up over the horizon it's much bigger than it is when it's overhead at noon. Everyone knows that a thing looks smaller when it’s further away.” “True” said Confucius. “Wait a minute,” the other man said, “I say its closer at noon because when it first comes up, at dawn, it's cool compared to how hot it is at noon. Everyone knows a hot object feels hotter when you get closer to it.” “That's true too” said Confucius. “I guess I can't help you with this.” Liezi, rewritten To get the right answer you must ask the right question. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. A Perfect Fit A man needed a new pair of shoes and wanted them to fit perfectly, so he measured his feet very carefully. Writing down the length, width, height and circumference. He even checked his arch and the distance between his ankle and his heel. Later that day when he stopped at the shoe store to buy the shoes he realized that he had forgotten the paper with the measurements on it. “I can't buy shoes today,” he told of the shoemaker. “How will I know if they will fit?” “Why don't you try them on?” the shoemaker said. “I wouldn't dare trust that!” the man answered. Hanfeizi, rewritten Don’t make things overly complicated. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Ethics Workbook I ©Anthony Tiatorio 1999