Critical Analysis Prompts
- Law & Society: Briefly, contrast one’s relationship with and obligation to Law as presented in the assigned Hebrew scriptures and from the assigned readings on Confucianism, including the role of study and learning. In your view, what is the most important commonality?
One’s obligation to the Law, according to Confucious, is defined by the responsibilities of a nobleman. He argues that a nobleman has a responsibility to behave in the most upward manner and set an example for others to follow. Through the use of the example of the leader, he argues that if a particular leader is of upright ways, then he will be obeyed, and everything will be okay (Philip, p.131) as such one has an obligation to explicitly abide by the Law and avoid corrupt character. Confucius also argues that people have an obligation to trust and cooperate with those in power for the best interest of the society because, without cooperation between individuals and government, the entire society would be doomed. He uses the analogy of sacrificing weapons and food, and retaining the confidence with rulers, lack of which he terms as an ingredient for trouble (Philip, p.131). Confucius argued that the universally accepted obligations for all duties are compassion, wisdom, and courage. Hence an individual has this obligation to their society.
The relationship between an individual and the Law is defined as one of the five key relationships in the life of a man (Philip, p.127). The golden rule of Confucius was that founded on the spirit of Li, and it argued that one should not do to others what they do not want to be done to them. This rule binds all relationships, including one’s relationship with society and the Law. In contrast to one’s relationship with the Law and their obligation to the Law, it is deductible that one’s relationship with the Law is a fundamental element of their life characterized by the golden rule while their obligation to the Law includes contributing to the progress and preservation of the society. The role of studying and learning is to develop a clear character, abide, and seek the greatest character and to love people (Philip, p.133).
- Human Nature: Briefly, contrast the portrayal of human nature in the Hebrew scriptures (in World’s Wisdom) and the Confucian tradition. Of these different views, which do you find most persuasive? Why?
The Hebrew scriptures portray human nature as being weak and evil. Right from the beginning of the Hebrew scriptures, the ancient prophets strongly condemned Israelites for going wayward against the requirements of god through actions such as idolatry, social injustice, and oppression of the poor (Philip, p.191). When king Uzziah died the great prophet, Isaiah cried that in the temple that he was of unclean lips and he lived among a society full of unclean lips. This exudes the dark evil human nature where people say things that they should not say all the time due to their weaknesses. During the long period the forty-one years that Isaiah mediated for Israelites to God, they were always under the dominance of the Assyrians, and Isaiah always blamed the suffering of Israelites to their sinful way of life which consisted of immorality and poor adherence to their holy covenants (Philip, p.194). The evil nature of human beings is further illustrated through the story of King David killing a poor man so as to take his wife. Prophet Nathan condemned the king for his evil actions, and the story acts to portray the evil and weak nature of human beings.
The confusion tradition portrays human nature as being inherently good. Confucius argued that human nature is God-given, and it is the foundation of good morals through moral Law, hence, alluding that human nature is generally good (Philip, p.119). Confucius argued that through the spirit of Li, a ritual is an important element in human life and through its people respond in goodness (Philip, p.123). This further illustrates that through the confusion tradition, human nature is portrayed as good. Confucius tradition holds that goodness is the master virtue among all other virtues among human beings, further illustrating that human nature is good (Philip, p.128). The tradition also holds that the original capability and natural tendency of mankind are good, hence human nature is good (Philip, p.135). The Hebrew portrayal of human nature as being evil and weak is the most persuasive because its illustrations provide empirical examples in real-life scenarios.
Works cited
Philip Novak. The World’s Wisdom: Sacred Texts of The World’s Religions. 2008.