Confucius and the Ideal Person

Confucius and the Ideal Person

The ideal person is a question that can be answered according to every different individual’s morals and values. The way Confucius would define that person consists of one who had the ability to focus on the reality of the world and be empowered to provide guidelines as to how people ought to live their lives. Confucius main goal was that everyone was in a position to carry themselves with dignity, good moral character, grace and be well-spoken. The ideal person in regard to the way an individual was described by Confucius could be regarded as someone who has been able to learn how to live their entire life within the parameters that had firmly been established by the Heavens.

Some Confucian virtues, such as love of education and the arts, help individuals develop their unique talents. But the virtues most prized by Confucianism are indeed largely social virtues. Individual uniqueness, although valued by Confucianism, is expected to be muted, subtle, and considerate of others. Confucian taught five virtues that an ideal person ought to have: ren, xiao, li, shu, and wen.

Ren can be translated to refer to simply sympathy or kindness. This is the central virtue from the teachings of Confucianism that does make us to be human. Li this word is often translated as “propriety,” which means “doing what is appropriate” or “doing what is proper to the situation.” Originally, li referred to carrying out rites correctly. More generally, it means knowing and using the proper words and actions for social life. For each situation, there are appropriate words to say, proper ways to dress, and correct things to do. Shu the usual translation of shu is “reciprocity,” but its essence addresses the question, how will my action affect the other person? It is also another version of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The word xiao (hsiao) is usually translated as “filial piety”...