Blog 1: Confucius

One aspect of Confucianism that we didn't mention in class is the importance of family values. I think the importance of a solid upbringing is something we can all argree upon regardless of our personal views on Confucianism itself. Page 17 of the text describes that the way in which one acts toward "people outside one's family should be an extension of the love one feels for members of one's own family." By fostering this brotherly love within a family and allowing it to spill into society, we are working towards achieving the keystone of Confucianism and the Decree of Heaven which is, of course, benevolence. Every human's first classroom is his own household, and every teacher his father/mother. Thus, the cultivation of the self begins within the home. According to Confucius, it is the father's (or in a more modern, less sexist world, the mother's as well) duty to instill a strong moral backbone into his children. He is the central focus of his childrens' education and self-betterment. This theory of patriarchal leadership also spills over into the political world. Confucius maintains that, like the father of a family, "the emperor of the state must rule by moral example" (p.17). I, like Confucius, believe that this ideology may lead us closer to "moral perfection" (p.15) and social harmony.

Q: In our modern day world, do you think it is possible for a true sage, as defined by the teachings of Confucius, to exist?