Confucius: Obtaining Ideal Society

Obtaining Ideal Society

Confucius' moral philosophy is centered around the idea of humaneness and goodness throughout society. How does one create and construct an ideal society without recourse or help from the supernatural? “Rather than attributing events to supernatural forces and establishing moral guidance according to the will of spiritual beings, Chinese philosophers began to focus on human actions and to give increasing importance to the Way that can make man great.” (Giancola & Gregory 187). Confucius started the idea that we as human beings merely need to consider each other in our decisions and act with respect. These fundamental virtues are all it takes to achieve an ideal society, and no supernatural being is judging your acceptance into Heaven or dictating your decisions. I believe Confucius is correct in stating that humaneness, reciprocity, and his guidelines on government will lead to an ideal and preferable society.

Humaneness is described by Merriam-Webster as: “marked by compassion, sympathy, or consideration for humans or animals.” This virtue is what I believe the Way revolves around. Humaneness in a society is a society that can completely depend on one another. No one has to worry about being robbed or hurt. People would understand that others want to help them so they should help others as well. Compassion and consideration for others can lead to nothing but positive outcomes. If a society can provide compassion and consideration for all of it's members, how can their ever be crime or hate? Having the guarantee that an entire society has compassion and sympathy for your troubles and encounters would be the most soothing and comforting fact in the world. For some reason this is unattainable so far in our world. Being compassionate and humane requires no supernatural or unworldly assistance, it is the true and honest nature of human beings. “The Master said: 'Is humaneness really so far away? If we ourselves wanted humaneness, then...