Confucianism Vs Taoism Politics Philosophy Essay

Confucianism Vs Taoism Politics Philosophy Essay Government has such an important impact on societal issues and duties. The United States was constructed from a written constitution thus the formation of our federal government establishment. I look at the constitution as our means for living in a well established society. Many individuals have different beliefs in how a society should be run. Take a look at the ancient Chinese philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism. Each has a different set of standards in their philosophy of life. It is difficult to understand the ethics and politics of Confucianism and Taoism without understanding its philosophy. What if the United States were to take on one of these philosophies? I believe Confucianism would be more widely accepted in our society. We are a nation based more on the concerns dealing with rule and work which is relevant for Confucianisms essence of a structured civilization. The official doctrine in China by the second century B.C.E. was Confucianism. Confucius taught much about political inconstancy as he endured through the downfall of the Zhou dynasty. He had begun teaching at twenty-three years old and we get insightful information about some of his teachings through The Analects. Much of his writing is centered on issues the world with the focal points on family, politics, and modern humanity. Many ideals can be reach as being disciplined leading to virtuous accordance and communal efficiency. The Master said, He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger. (1595) The first sentence is the true core of knowledge. To fully understand what you have learned, it must be applied thus you are acquiring information. One who does not think may act on impulse. Thinking before you act can lead to gratifying decisions. In a government you need a leader that can focus on a problem and figure out all possible choices that will be beneficial to the society. After the decision is made then it is necessary to take action. We need these ideals for the foundation of a good leader and the individuals as well. If someone just acts on impulse or does nothing, problems will arise either way. If you cannot be evaluating a certain thought, then nothing is gained in retrospect. Our Masters Way is simply this: Loyalty, consideration. (1596) Confucius wanted to convey moral principles to establish a structured society. You yourself desire rank and standing; then help others to get rank and standing. You want to turn your own merits to account; then help others to turn theirs to account- in fact, the ability to take ones own feelings as a guide- that is the sort of thing that lies in direction of Goodness. (1596) A strong leader should be able to take care of his people. In return the people will abide by the rules which will result in a well developed society. Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you. (1597) If we commence this morale rule than it would make sense for people to get along cohesively. No one is ever beneath you so selfishness should be nonexistent. The Master said, A country of a thousand war-chariots cannot be administered unless the ruler attends strictly to business, punctually observes his promises, is economical in expenditure, shows affection towards his subjects in general. (1600) The Master said, Govern the people by regulations, keep order among them by chastisements, and they will flee from you, and lose all self-respect. Govern them by mental force, keep order among them by ritual, and they will keep their self-respect and come to you of their own accord. (1601) A set of laws are instituted and should be followed, but the means of ethics would be followed if they saw their leader to be commendable. There would be an understanding for the governing embodiment concerning stability of virtue between individual and ruler. At the same time the ruler must be applying the example of good virtue. You will get the same respect back in return. Laozi wrote a collection of poems entitled, Dao De Jing. The ideology of Laozi was polar opposite of what we saw from Confucius. Lao Tzu illustrates the meaning of life through Dao which literally means the way. It is based on the individual to move connectively in the eternal flow of life that define the basis of Taoism. Taoism is believed that everything happens naturally in the world, thus human behavior is in correspondence of its nature. The way to improve morality is doing nothing so that nothing is forced. Additionally it is about reaching beyond the sector of the traditional society. A true follower will not be attached to the power and politics of ordinary societal standards. Give up learning and put an end to your troubles. (1607) Hence I know that value of nonaction. Teaching without words and work without doing Are understood by very few. (1609) The farther you go, the less you know. Thus the sage knows without traveling; He sees without looking; He works without doing. (1610) Laozi says that inaction is the way to live in a state of natural harmonious bliss. The Dao states that no one should be conformed to society because we are just free spirits in the universe. We are not tied down to standard living and all expectations should be thrown away. You learn from your sense of self by the force of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang is the approach of two of something forming to coherence. It is more important To see the simplicity, To realize ones true nature, To cast off selfishness And temper desire. (1607) Laozi wants society to give up materialistic possessions. We are endlessly learning and building upon expectations. The expectations are from our society which creates distress hiding from the greater good of humanity. The American Dream is the success of power and money which many of us chase after. Americans would never be able to give up material possessions. Going with the flow isnt always the best way to lead your life. At some point there will be important decisions that will alter your journey in life. Taoism wants you to sit back and relax, but inactivity can lead to destruction. It is hard to picture a leader in society to just go with the flow in directing his country. Productivity is vital to success. If a war breaks out we need to act quickly for the sake of protecting our people and our future endeavors. Americans are too selfish for Taoism because we have the conception of want embedded in our brain. I think in the sense of traditional American values and being in line with the American Dream, Confucianism would be the more popular philosophy. Â  It stresses themes of dedication to ones duty in life, dedication to ones family, social responsibility, and almost Christian-like themes of helping others and benevolence. Many Americans can learn from the Confucianism philosophy. The ideas we are given from The Analects are structural enough for the foundation of political authority in establishing a society. On the contrary I do believe Taoism offers a counterbalance to the political ideals of Confucianism. Sometimes we get too involved with power which sometimes can lead to destruction when you are not looking out for the people. At the same time Confucianism has a means of higher authority through a set of moral principles. Furthermore our country needs a set of laws that everyone is subject to. Without order chaos will break out with pure insanity. No society will ever be perfect, but we can always be willing to improve our standards of living a better life.

Culture and Attribution Essay

Every country in the world practice their own cultural traditions and norms. Nevertheless, these various cultures are generally characterized as either individualistic or collective. Individualistic culture is defined as â€Å"a society in which the ties between individuals are loose and everyone is expected to look after himself or herself and his or her immediate family only† (â€Å"Individualism versus collectivism†, n. d. ). On the other hand, a collective society pertains to â€Å"a society in which people from birth onwards are integrated into strong cohesive ingroups, which throughout people’s lifetime continue to protect them in exchange for unquestioning loyalty† (â€Å"Individualism versus collectivism†, n. d. ). These kinds of culture would be further elaborated in the duration of this paper. A group of business people coming from two different cultures work together but unfortunately, the project they conducted fails. This failure could be attributed to the fact that they have different beliefs and priorities. As such, they would also have different reactions as to why they did not succeed in this business venture. The ones who came from the individualistic culture would blame themselves and point out that it was their weaknesses and misgivings that cause this downfall. It could also be possible that they would blame their business associates and do all the possible means to protect the assets that they have invested on this project. On the other hand, those business people coming from the collective culture would blame the whole group for their failure. Since it is a group project, their shortcomings as a whole team could be the reason why they failed. Another possible reaction could be that they would propose that they work together to address the problem and to regain what they have lost from this unsuccessful project. Another similar incident personally happen to me in one of the group projects that is required in a course that I took. The professor assigned us to make a resolution regarding the issue of plagiarism. The group have to work together and each person must contribute their ideas on how the problem of plagiarism could be address. However, we were not able to complete a sound resolution due to the lack of group cooperation. This is due to the fact that some of our members did not attend the scheduled meeting, which is why only some of us made the resolution. Our professor gave us a failing mark that resulted for most of the members to blame each other. This attribution clearly shows that most of us came from an individualistic culture because we tend to think of ourselves and our own interest without giving due consideration to the shortcomings of the whole group. In another perspective, if this incident happen from someone coming from a collective culture the failure that took place would be seen as the responsibility of all members. Those who did the resolution also have their misgivings as they fail to remind the other members of the meeting. Furthermore, the lack of cooperation and teamwork of all the members is one of the major factors as to why we get a failing mark. The aforementioned incidents prove that culture has a huge impact in an individual. The behavior as well as the decisions of a person is greatly influence by cultural factors. Reference Individualism versus collectivism. (n. d. ). Retrieved July 29, 2008, from http://www. via-web. de/284. html.

Is Achilles right when, in the Iliad XVIII and...

Is Achilles right when, in the Iliad XVIII and subsequently, he bitterly blames himself for the death of Patroklos? The main theme of the poem, which is declared at the very beginning is the ‘wrath’ of Achilles. From this we are taken on a journey of human and divine responses. This central theme empowers a magnificently ‘articulated composition out of confusion of battle’.[1] Events that take place during this journey allow Homer to display and develop, within the social framework of heroic honour, the ideas of conflict, isolation, and reconciliation. Within this essay I will try to address one such consequence, the death of Patroklos, and see who, what or why this death occurred. Several factors need to be addressed in†¦show more content†¦Whether fate is to be identified with the will of Zeus or whether the will of Zeus is simply an expression of a fate which binds gods and man alike matters little, the result inevitably will be the same, how it reaches this point and who suffers because of it aid this result. But let us not neglect the question of Thetis, with her knowledge of the future could she not have warned Achilles of his friends impending death?, the answer here would have to be not, she is bound up with the human world as the other gods are not and it would have as Taplin points out, ‘destroyed the portrayal of Achilles as human’.[2] Patroklos himself, could be suggested was responsible for his own death, he overstepped the mark in terms of Achilles’ warning, â€Å"don’t entertain any dreams of fighting on without me†(16.89). But essentially here it is not about his illusions of grandeur that are the issue, more why he had to die? This marks two thirds of the way through the poem, two thirds taken up to the anger of Achilles signifying his prolonged rage, this book denotes a change in direction and is also central to the narrative. Patroklos marks the start of the end in terms of Achilles, it could even be suggested that the symbolic wearing of Achilles’ armour is actually meant to represent Achilles himself dieing in the battle, he is never the less fighting for

Essay about Ancient Native American Traditions - 1474 Words

Ancient Native American Traditions The novel Reservation Blues does not describe or deal with real Indians. The real Native Americans were forever destroyed by the government the second that they set foot upon the makeshift reservation. That very second saw the perish of all the age-long values and traditions that, before that moment, defined, raised, and watched over every Indian boy and girl, every Indian husband and wife, and every Indian father and mother. The U.S. government easily and nonviolently accomplished what the army has been struggling to do for many years, it wiped out a whole race of people, turning them into a mindless horde that was of concern to no one. The result were people who were hardly more Indian than you†¦show more content†¦Members of the tribe were perfectly happy to finally be rid of their own kind, of the same people who they grew up with, and listened to in awe during the first few practices in the abandoned grocery store. The whole concept of unity on the Spokane reservation c an be summed up in the following quote. Now, I know some of you arent happy with how all this turned out, Big Mom said, but think of poor Joseph Polatkin. Think of how hard these kids worked. Think of your tribal responsibilities. Think of getting them off the goddamn reservation, shouted a voice in the back.(304) Native Americans always had pride. They knew about the ways of the world and about the ways of other cultures, and yet they chose to follow their own rules and customs since the very beginning no matter the interference from others, intentional or unintentional. A real Indian looked upon his tribe with admiration, having pride in belonging to it. The Spokane reservation was the complete opposite. Welcome to Wellpinit, Population: Variable.(3) People left that reservation regularly for the promise of a better life, the life of white people. They no longer were content with their Indian existence, and wanted everything the white man had. Possessions were no longer for the benefit of the tribe, but trophies of the persons prosperity. Dreams of money had taken hold of the whole tribe. The tribe had installed aShow MoreRelatedAncient Burial Grounds of Hawaii800 Words   |  4 PagesAncient Burial Grounds of Hawaii In recent years, ancient burial grounds have been frequently disturbed due to increasing surveillance by anthropologists and constructed on by state-of-the-art technology and are more critically protected than ever before. Understanding the importance of burial grounds gives an insight on the rich history of ancient Hawaii. They have influenced the burials performed, ancestors and their modern inhabitants, and how they have impacted modern Hawaii. Burial methodsRead MoreAnalysis : Bless Me, Ultima 1488 Words   |  6 Pagescivilization of the American people as well as the intellectual traditions need to be in connection. There have been a few moments in modern literature on culture and ancient Hispanic culture, that argue and show the need for general indigenous beliefs through interrelations of the sources of life itself. This paper seeks to analyze the poetic coverage of the history of early indigenous culture in Bless Me, Ultima, by showing a detailed comparison of the transit ional experiences of early native people to AntonioRead MoreFlourishing North American Cultures1455 Words   |  6 Pages2000 years before Europeans began to arrive in the New World, the last era of the pre-Columbian development began. North American cultures such as the Mississippian culture, the Hopewell Tradition, and the Hohokam culture experienced growth and environmental adaptation throughout this era. Major contributions and innovations of Native Americans have developed and been passed on through generations of ancestors. Originating in 700 A.D., the Mississippian culture expanded through the MississippiRead MoreOrson Is The Oldest Human Fossil?928 Words   |  4 PagesJust before Halloween 1938, Orson Welles the American filmmaker, who was to produce and act in the film Citizen Kane (1940), broadcast a radio version of War of the Worlds, the science fiction masterpiece written by H. G. Wells in 1898. This radio drama involved Orson Welles’s Mercury Theater players, and it purported to report an actual invasion of Martian spacecraft landing at Grovers Mills, New Jersey, a small town near Princeton. The broadcast proved to be extremely realistic, convincing andRead MoreAnalysis Of Laura Gilpin s Life1617 Words   |  7 PagesLaura Gilpin, April 22, 1891 – November 30, 1979, was an accomplished American photographer primarily known for her photographs of Native Americans and Southwestern landscapes. She began her photography at an early age, and remained active in the art scene until her death in 1979. Gilpin received her first camera at age twelve, which she used persistently for years into adulthood. The next year, in 1904, Gilpin traveled to visit a dear friend of the family, Laura Perry, a blind woman who alsoRead MoreThe Differences Between Native Americans And Europeans1323 Words   |  6 Pagesdisrupted the life of the Natives. The natives had their own culture in America with their own special beliefs. When Europeans arrived they tried to alter the way Native Americans lived their lives to resemble their way of living. The Natives did not respect this because they had previously built a lifestyle in America that they wish not to be transformed. The two cultures had different opinions about government, religion, land, and society. Due to the many differences between the Native and European peopleRead MoreCultural Syncretism1599 Words   |  7 Pagesconcept of cultural syncretism exists when two different cultures combine their ancient beliefs of the past to create new traditions and/or beliefs. There are several cultural factors that influenced both Africa and the Americas such as weaponry, technological advancements, medical and religious. China and India’s values were quite different when it came to cultural beliefs. They would isolate themselves from outside traditions, which made them more resistant to syncretism. Cultural Syncretism SyncretismRead More Understanding The House Made of Dawn by Scott Momaday Essay1255 Words   |  6 PagesUnderstanding The House Made of Dawn by Scott Momaday      Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1969, N. Scott Momaday became the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize in the area of Letters, Drama, and Music for best Fiction.   As Schubnell relates in N. Scott Momaday: The Cultural and Literary Background, Momaday initially could not believe that he had won a prize for a work that began as a poem (93).   Schubnell cites one juror who explains his reasoning for selecting House Made of Dawn as being the works eloquenceRead MoreNative American Religion : Medicine And Spiritual Healing1694 Words   |  7 PagesErika Lenis-Abril REL-337 5/10/2015 Native American Religion: Medicine and Spiritual Healing Native American traditional medicine and spiritual healing rituals go back for thousands of years, these traditions often focus on different variations of alternative medicine. This knowledge is passed on throughout generations, many of the tribes learn that by mixing natural plants such as herbs and roots they can make remedies with healing properties. It is believed that being healthy is when peopleRead MoreEssay on Native American Tradition and Religion1319 Words   |  6 Pageshabitats in North America, different native religions evolved to match the needs and lifestyles of the individual tribe. Religious traditions of aboriginal peoples around the world tend to be heavily influenced by their methods of acquiring food, whether by hunting wild animals or by agriculture. Native American spirituality is no exception. Traditional Lakota spirituality is a form of religious belief that each thing, plant and animal has a spirit. The Native American spirituality has an inseparable