Philosophy and Ethics: A look at Confucianism and Taoism and their Affects on the Ethics and culture of the Eastern World.

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                                                                        Nicole Ellen Colraine

                                                                        Civ 10 - 10/19/2000

                                                                              Professor Weidey -- 9:00AM T, Th

             Philosophy and Ethics:  A look at Confucianism and  Taoism and their Affects on the Ethics and culture of the Eastern World

        

        Two great philosophical school of thought, Taoism and Confucianism manifested in the 6th Century BC in ancient China.  The third significant school of thought, Buddhism, was introduced by India and manifested in Chinese culture around 2 AD.   Confucianism is greatly concerned with social relations, conduct, and human society.  Taoism, on the other hand is much more individualistic and mystical character and is dramatically affected by nature.  Together, these three faiths have shaped and molded Chinese life and thought for the past twenty-five hundred years.  Whatever the truth, Taoism and Confucianism are two distinct responses to the social, political and philosophical conditions of life

        Out of all the pre-Confucian philosophers, Lao-Tzu was indeed the greatest.   Lao-Tzu lived in the 6th century BC.   He composed a book  known as the Tao-Te Ching, which is the foundation of Taoism.  Tao-te-ching, in English, translates into 'the way and it's power".  "The Way" is to lead a modest life using the elements of silence and nature.  Taoists argue that nature is the way and is the path  to wise living; it makes life "simple and happy".   According to Taoists, wisdom is held to the highest regard and is valued above goodness.  The beginning of wisdom is silence, an ideal being is quiet, mature, and does to attempt to convince others what is true or false.   The ideal being automatically knows this.  

        The Tao is the essence of all that is right, complications are present in people's lives  because they choose to make a conscience decision to complicate their lives.   Desire, ambition, fame, and selfishness are all portrayed as vices and hindrances in one's life and are for such, better to be avoided.  Taoists find no importance in materialistic items.    If one is able to rid themselves of all desires, the Tao will be met.  Thus, this ancient Chinese philosophical religion practices ignoring earthly distractions so one is able to focus their energy on life itself.  One interesting fact the Taoist hold to be true is the longer one's life is, the closer to the Tao they are presumed to have been.  

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        Quiescence is a form of philosophical inaction and is of utmost importance to Taoism. According to Lao-Tzu, quiescence is the mark of the intellectual person and an example of this is if something bad, like an earthquake or a first-degree murder, Lao-Tzu argues that it is best to let the event take its natural course.   Thus, to follow Lao's ideals one should disregard action and everything will be all right.  Thus, being the modern standard of an "intellectual" or "learned person" according to Lao endangers the delicate balance between thinking and refusing to think.   One who is an ...

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