Philosophy, as demonstrated by
Confucius in Ancient Chinese Philosophy is a way to lead one back to the proper
way of living. This is shown in the way
he perceives the philosophical problem.
This problem is the absence of social harmony or social disorder in the
world, which is rooted in the absence of the Tao or the Way.
Before we proceed, let us first
clarify as to what is the “Tao” or the “Way” in the Confucian sense. In Fung Yu-Lan’s book entitled The Spirit of Chinese Philosophy,
describes the Tao as “the Great Way for man” 1
The “Great Way” in this sense can
be understood as a way of life which is anchored in living with good values and
with a higher sense of thinking. It is
living with right conduct, an enlightened mind, and a sense of responsibility. The absence of such “way” means the lack of
understanding of the individuals of such way of living. Social disorder happens, and the state is
thrown into chaos.
Disorder is said to be rooted
from the incapability of the people in the state to live up to the responsibilities
given to them. It is because of this that there are problems in the processing
of transaction of the state in many respective sectors. It is because of “incorrect names” that
social disorder occurs. “Incorrect
names” are respective roles and responsibilities of an individual which are not
fulfilled in action and lifestyle in home and society.
Disharmony happens because people
have not paid attention in their respective roles, both in their homes and in
their societies. They do not pay attention as to what is the proper way in
fulfilling their roles in the state.
They simply do things blindly, acting various roles other that what they
should. This is observable in the
children acting like adults, saying that they know everything. It is observable with the intellects who
claim that they know the right answer to every problem. It is also observable among the politicians
who act as kings rather than public servants.
As one can see, all of these people lack the understanding as to how
they would properly execute their roles in their home and in their
society. They did not justify their
“name.” This is all because they did not
deeply reflect about their actions. And
because of that, they fail to see the proper way of fulfilling their
roles. They fail to live a proper life
of good attitude, enlightened thinking, and responsibility. This caused confusion, misunderstanding and
division among people. This is the so-called
social disorder that Confucius became wary about during his time.
That is why, in order to resolve
such dilemma in the society, Confucius proposes for the rectification of
names. As Fung Yu-Lan stated in his
book, A Short History of Chinese
Philosophy:
“In regard to society, he held
that in order to have a well-ordered one, the most important thing is to carry
out what he called the rectification of names. That is, things in actual fact
should be made to accord with the implication attached to them by names.” 2
Fung’s statement implies that the
primary step in leading oneself back to the right way of living is by doing
rightly and living in actuality his name along with all responsibilities
attached to such name. This means that
one must act his role, whether it would be at home or in the society. Social disorder happened when the individuals
living in the state are not faithful to their respective roles. However, if one deeply reflects about his
life, he can get to see that he has roles to fulfill.
These proper ways constitute both
the means of proper way of doing it and the right attitude towards it. One cannot have such profound realization if
he does not take a step back and reflect on his doings. If one deeply reflects about his life, he
can realize that he has a set of responsibilities that he must fulfill based on
his specific role. In this sense he can
avoid acting what is not “named” of him.
One can see clearly the things to be done and the things that needed his
attention. In this sense the individual
prevents himself from inciting disorder in his home and his community. If the state adapts such deep reflection,
then it can prevent delays or complications in many transactions and ways of
implementing rules. This is because
everyone has a deep understanding of their roles in home and society.
By philosophizing, an individual
can have a clear idea about his priorities.
It gives him ideas of how to fulfill such priorities in a proper manner. Philosophizing leads the individual back to
the proper way of living by being aware of his responsibilities and the ways to
fulfill them. By one’s deep understanding
of the essence of his “name”, he gradually walks towards learning the ways of
the Tao. Clarity of name and its purpose
are important in being able to cultivate harmony within oneself. This is because it organizes one’s mind into
a specific idea, which prevents one to incorrectly identify himself with other
roles other than his own. Clarity provides the essential foundation for the
individual to cultivate harmony and values within him. Clarity is essential in
coming up with the solution for a problem. This is because if one does not have
a clear idea as to what is the problem and what is the root of it, then the
search for an appropriate solution is difficult.
Philosophy, as demonstrated by
Confucius, is a way to lead one back into the proper way of living. This is shown in the way he identifies the
philosophical problem of the absence of harmony in a state. The philosophical problem is rooted in the
absence of the Tao or basis for living a good life anchored in morals,
responsibility, and higher thinking.
This absence of the Tao is manifested by the people not living according
to their “names” or their responsibilities.
Such thinking and way of life creates disorder, and even breeds
misunderstanding and conflict among people. Without philosophizing, an individual cannot grasp their roles in their
homes and in their state.
Philosophizing provides the individual with the deep understanding of
their responsibilities. By deep
reflection, an individual can see that there is a need to harmonize one’s
action and lifestyle with one’s names or responsibilities. Only then that one can unite with his
neighbors and others. Having one’s
action in accordance with his name and responsibility prevents misunderstanding
among people. It prevents chaos, for
each person knows what to do and what not to do. Thus, it prevents him from
assuming roles that are not his.
Philosophizing helps one to be
more aware of his duties and responsibilities to his state and to his
family. It makes him aware of his social
relationships. It guides him to right
actions. In this sense the individual
is more inclined to mold himself into a person of virtue by the essence of
right action and right living. Philosophizing is a higher thinking activity
which leads one to reflect, refine his thoughts, enlighten his pursuits and
deepen his values. It leads him to
wisdom of propriety and union with the Tao. In other words, philosophizing is an
activity directed towards molding the individual to live the values of harmony first
within his self, towards others and towards the world. These are the basic lessons which Confucius
wishes us to realize in Philosophy.
In such a modern society, we are
overwhelmed by the many changes caused by technology and science. Technology and science keeps giving new
inventions and discoveries that can make our lives better and more
comfortable. Laws upgrade alongside
crimes to ensure that justice is given to the persons who deserve it. Education is upgrading with the latest
technology to keep abreast with much modern and more effective teaching and
learning environment. Oftentimes, when people are overwhelmed by these, they
tend to forget to stop and reflect.
Because of this tendency, one even goes to the point of forgetting his
role in home and society.
Thirteen year-olds and even younger kids these
days act like they are adults. Girls put on make-up, and boys go drinking
liquor. In social media, one can even
see underage kids acting in such an undignified manner, wearing revealing clothes
and acting indifferently. In the adult
world, there are those who act like kids.
This is shown by some intellectuals who refuse to be open to other ideas
and some politicians who insist that they are innocent of a crime, even if it
is the contrary. People tend to fail in
justifying their roles because of the fact that they did not deeply reflect
about the responsibilities attached to the names they bear. In this sense, quarrel between families
happen, and corruption and crime becomes adamant in the state. From these, one will realize that disorder happens
when one does not act and live his life according to his name or
responsibility.
Roles and the responsibilities define one’s name. However, having roles and responsibilities
does not mean that one is not free. Rather,
it is the essence of one’s freedom.
Having roles and responsibilities aid one to do things accordingly. This cultivates good values and right living.
For example, one does not learn how to
be a good writer unless he develops the skill and practices it. By this, he conscientiously and religiously learns
and practices processes that will lead him to become best writer. He practices patience, determination,
discipline, and love of one’s responsibilities.
This principle extends even in politics.
If a government official acts according to his role, then people will
support and respect him. He is faithful
to his role and responsibility.
The notion of roles and responsibilities confused me as a student and
a private person. When I started my
college life, dozens of responsibilities of overwhelmed me in the university. I
have to attend general assemblies. I
have to do many assignments of my different professors. I have to beat deadlines, and study my lessons
every day. It even came to a point that I became too lazy to do anything at
all. I delayed working on some assignments because it was becoming a pain to
do. I even experienced feeling so tired because
of the many academic concerns. I have
been away from my parents for almost four semesters. I missed our home and other ordinary things I
do as a private person.
As I sat alone in one corner of our dorm, I began to reflect about many
things. I realized my kind of attitude towards
my assignments, to my professors and to my other academic responsibilities. Then, I felt sad and empty. Later, I realized that my actions were not
doing me any good. They were not making
me a responsible student. Moreover, my
workload increases as I delay things. It turned out that my behavior made me suffer
more than I have ever imagined. My life
was in total chaos. I was confused and
did not know what to do. I became
anxious and pressured by things. My life
was in disorder, and I cannot feel any harmony within me. I was not inspired in doing things.
I realized that I was not doing my responsibility as a “student”. I was not even justifying my name as a
“Philosophy student”. I was acting
another role. I was acting like a
spoiled kid who never grew up. Like an
immature person, I was running away from my responsibilities. I realized that there is no point running
away. Retreating to my own solitary
world cannot solve my bad attitude or my disorganized life. It is in being able to accept, understand and
do rightly my responsibilities and roles that I become what I truly am.
Then, I realized some of our
lessons which centers on virtue, the Tao or the Way. They are useless if they do not affect
me. Philosophy is nothing if it does not
help me transform into a better person. I mean, anything learned in classrooms and in ordinary
experiences have significant messages to me.
This is what philosophy really teaches each of us. This is what Confucius wants us to realize. And, honestly, this becomes my goal in life.
Confucius teaches us that name and the responsibilities attached to it
involved many challenges. If one is
living his life with the Tao, he learns to philosophize and reflect on the
messages of every challenge he meets while fulfilling these responsibilities
attached to his name or role. He never
gives up or surrenders and becomes hopeless. He learns values and finds harmony within and
with others. If one sets aside
philosophy, he will not realize the way of the Tao and will never deeply appreciate
and rightly fulfill his name or role and his responsibilities.
Thus, each of us has our respective name, role and
responsibility. The task of one is to
realize them as the ultimate meaning of his life and the very essence of the
Tao. Realizing them is not an easy task.
It takes one to consistently search and find good values in everything he does. Then, he becomes a source of harmony in his
home and society. Indeed, it is a great opportunity
that philosophy helps us realize the right way to a fulfilled life. Confucius teaches us that the measure of a life
lived in the Tao is when one faithfully does his responsibilities according to his name or role.
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, 20.
2 2. Fung Yu-Lan, “Confucius, The First Teacher”,
(New York: The Free Press, 1948), In A
Short History of Chinese Philosophy, 41.
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