Philosophy, as demonstrated by Confucius, is a way to educate oneself
in becoming a noble man. This is shown
in the way he lays down the assumptions of a solution to the philosophical
problem. The philosophical problem was
the absence of social harmony in a state.
In order to solve such problem, one must educate himself about what is
right and proper. This implies that one
must learn the Way or the Tao. Such
learning only implies educating oneself into becoming a noble man.
When one does not have a clear understanding of the proper ways of
doing things or proper ways of acting, he is in chaos. This is the reason why people tend to forget
the importance of things such as tradition. Without deep reflection, persons
cannot see the essence of traditions as a way to show reverence to ancestors, a
way to deepen one’s sense of community, a way to appreciate one’s citizenship
in a state and a way to strengthen the family.
Philosophy helps one to have a deeper understanding of right or proper
things in life. With deep reflection, an
individual is educated to the proper attitudes in approaching life. This also includes following one’s tradition
and acting what is ought of him in his home or in his state. Such deep reflection makes the individual
aware of his obligations. It makes him fulfill his responsibilities
wholeheartedly, thus, preventing any cause of conflict in his home or in his
state. Such is the manifestation of becoming the solution for the problem of
social disorder.
When one philosophizes, he does what is expected of him, fulfills his
name and does his responsibilities. When
one does these, he refines his thoughts, opts for morality and lives his life according
to Tao. In these ways, he gradually and
practically educates himself to become a noble man. He knows himself and regulates his life
according to what is proper and right.
To become a noble man is an ultimate goal of every individual. But this will not be realized without going
into reflection in order to have a profound understanding of things in
life. Reflection tames an individual’s
scattered and undirected thoughts and interpretations of realities. This leads him to clarity of purpose and wisdom
of right living. Thus, he becomes a solution to disorder in society, state and
family. As Fung Yu-Lan stated in his book entitled The Spirit of Chinese Philosophy, “It is
only then when a man has this undoubting knowledge that he can begin in all
truth to act human-heartedly and righteously.” 1
It can be said from Fung’s statement that when an individual has truly
philosophized, he has a clearer direction in all things, he has a better
perspectives on realities, he has deeper respect for tradition, family and laws
and he has a profound sense of righteousness and human-heartedness. He practices right values and help others
live the same values. He becomes a sign
of truth and a model of action to his family, state and society. Then, he becomes noble both in intellect and
in action.
Confucius teaches us that every person has an opportunity to become
noble through philosophy. However, it
takes right attitudes to philosophize.
Since becoming a noble man is one’s ultimate goal in life, then, every
man has to learn and practice philosophy in order to reach a higher way of
thinking to realize the Tao. To become a
noble man is also a noble task. It
entails deeper realization of what one ought to be in society, in the family
and in a state. It is still a matter of
personal choice to become noble. Among
the many noble activities in life, the noblest is philosophizing. When one philosophizes, he realizes the
truth that becoming a noble man and realizing the Tao are
possible.
Source:
1.
Fung Yu-Lan, “Confucius (551-479 B.C.) and
Mencius (372-289 B.C.)”, (Boston: Beacon Press, 1962), In The Spirit of Chinese Philosophy, 21.
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