Virtue ethics virtue ethics is often viewed as an approach toward moral theorizing that is distinct from deontology or utilitarianism. There is not a single, universal moral code, but there is a root of humanity, and that is the cultivation of our closest loving relationships. Moral perfection as the end of the state is the cornerstone of aristotles and confucius political philosophy. For example, aristotles works were broader than confucius and they included ethics, poetry, physics, logic, government, music and poetry among others kenny, 1992. Aristotle s doctrine of the mean does not tell us just what circumstances warrant what degree of passion with respect to sexual virtue or other virtues. Jul 21, 2010 this essay focuses on the unity of several virtues in preqin confucians. Some address problematic issues in virtue ethics by using confucian resources e.
Punishment and ethical selfcultivation in confucius and aristotle. Taking aristotelian and confucian ethics as mirrors for each other leads us to reflect upon the traditional roots of both ethics, to examine their. Confucius and aristotle on virtue introduction for the primary purpose of this essay, i settled at the views of confucius and aristotle on the aspect of virtue. The full text of this article hosted at is unavailable due to technical difficulties.
The virtue of perseverance is needed for all and any virtue since it is a habit of character and must be used continuously in order for any person to maintain oneself in virtue virtue. I think their definition of virtues is very similar in the sense that both emphasized the importance of not being excessive and also not being deficient. Abstract there has been a growing need to compare and possibly contrast aristotle virtue ethics with the views of confucius on ren which can also be translated to mean virtue. Confucius maintains the proper application and coherence of such virtues as benevolence, wisdom, trustworthiness, straightforwardness, courage, and firmness. Confucius social philosophy this paper will explore and discuss the social and political philosophy of confucius and aristotle, the. Mirrors of virtue by jiyuan yu find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Confucius, plato, and aristotle comparison of ideas by jackson warley plato aristotle role of reason role of reason education education aristotle, like plato, promoted the use of reason. Particular attention is paid to the distinction and relationship between. He is also viewed as symbol of culture that have been idealized, vilified and preserved for long period for both asian thinkers and those from outside asia.
Both considered taking the middle ground is always the best. Each of these attributes has a different meaning and focus, allowing any person to easily focus on and identify. Comparing confucius and aristotle on virtue coursebb. The field of ethics, along with aesthetics, concerns matters of value, and thus comprises the branch of philosophy called axiology ethics seeks to resolve questions of human morality by defining concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong. Now, with regard to the distinction between ethics and morality, we may ask on which side confucius lies. The views of confucius and aristotle on virtue confucius, born to an elderly warrior in 551 b. Is ren, understood as a virtue, the sort of virtue that should be. In the concept of moral virtue, aristotle states that the soul is. There is not a single, universal moral code, but there is a root of humanity, and.
He provides a starting point for understanding how to live a good life. Mar 23, 2008 jiyuan yu, the ethics of confucius and aristotle. Reviewed by brad wilburn, chadron state college in this book, jiyuan yu engages in a comparison of the ethical thought of two highly influential thinkers, confucius and aristotle. Malone date 1252015 confucius and aristotle are some of the greatest thinkers in the history of mankind. Philosophers aristotle and confucius are both famous persons in the worlds history.
Aristotle s ethical thinking, in contrast to modern western moral philosophy, starts with a reflection on human life as a whole instead of on some moral acts, and focuses on character. Project muse the ethics of confucius and aristotle. It does not simply take one side as a framework to understand the other. Because of his zeal to learn, he was in a position to find time to advance his studies confucianism. Confucius and aristotle on virtue 1 confucius and aristotle.
Confucius, like aristotle, advocates an aristocratic system of government in lhich only those of virtue and ability can parti cipate in political institutions. Confucius and aristotle on the ethics of virtue 2 for this essay assignment, i chose the topic of aristotle and confucius. Aristotle famously described friends to be like mirrors, wherein a person may see himself more truly. Virtue ethics does not focus on what rules the categorical imperative versus the greatest happiness principle, for example our action should follow to be morally right. In this dissertation, i explicate aristotle s conception of happiness, and i include a comparison of his conception of happiness with confucius. While confucius was born in china and spearheaded a new way of perceiving morality, aristotle was born in macedongreece and also immersed his. Therefore the belief of the mean is a theory of virtue as well and his thoughts are, to be virtuous, a man should become one with heaven and earth. In other words, the focus in on personal character, rather than action. Aristotle virtue theory research paper aristotle essay pages. Aristotles theory of virtue is more relevant than the ideas of confucius or nietzsche when it comes to living in contemporary society cover image by sarah buttle aristotle 384322 bce was an ancient greek philosopher in the western world wikipedia, 2014. Townsend humanities 101, 019016 fall 2005 mini session strayer university instructor. They both have had a very significant impact on philosophy, their views however, varied on the issue of virtue and humanity. As a comparative study of the virtue ethics of aristotle and confucius, this book explores how they each reflect upon human good and virtue out. Rethinking virtue ethics and social justice with aristotle.
Those in gender studies, for example, can be schooled in the family rituals consistent. Comparing the views of confucius and aristotle essay. Aristotles doctrine of the mean does not tell us just what circumstances warrant what degree of passion with respect to sexual virtue or other virtues. For virtue of character is about pleasures and pains nicomachean ethics 1104b310, aristotle stressed that this moderation of pain and pleasure is an extremely important aspect of virtue. Confucius concentrated more on teachings of morality both individual and government morality, justice and sincerity. We are supported in this selection by three basic concepts of confucianism which all remind one of aristotle, namely the concept of chuen.
Ethics confucianism and aristotle virtues flashcards. Apr 02, 2010 the ethics of confucius and aristotle. Aristotles theory of moral virtue states that our ultimate purpose or goal in life should. What are the differences between confucius and aristotle. The emergence of virtue ethics, which might be the most significant development in contemporary ethics, takes aristotles ethics as the most important paradigm. Plato, aristotle, confucius comparison by jackson warley on prezi. A good person is virtuous has the right character traits in the right balance. The ethics of confucius and aristotle mirrors of virtue. Their philosophic works were similar in nature, but with some different.
Furthermore,aristotles belief that rationality is what is unique to human nature is poorly justi. Aristotle was a great greek philosopher and scientist while confucius was a chinese politician, a philosopher and a teacher. Gt confucian ethics is a virtue ethics that is structurally similar to aristotles virtue ethics. A comparative study of two doctrines of the mean between aristotle and confucius. Further, confucius takes benevolence and nobility as characteristic of human being.
Anyone interested in the role of virtue in contemporary moral philosophy, in chinese thought, or in the future possibilities for crosstradition philosophizing will find much to engage with in the twenty essays collected here. Sep 08, 2017 confucius on ethics, introduction to philosophy, fall 2017. This is discussed in the last chapter of the study. Confucius, aristotle, punishment, virtue, ethical selfcultivation. Mirrors of virtue routledge studies in ethics and moral theory book 7 kindle edition by jiyuan yu. The emergence of virtue ethics, which might be the most significant development in contemporary ethics, takes aristotle s ethics as the most important paradigm. What are the differences between confucius and aristotle in. How are the virtue ethics of aristotle and confucius. All told, the papers approach the central topic of virtue ethics and confucianism from diverse angles. Rather than on what should be done in this situation. Ethics confucianism and aristotle virtues flashcards quizlet. Confucius based his system of ethics on six virtues.
A comparison of aristotles and confucius ethics is especially helpful because their common orientation toward the virtues will alert us to what a theory of virtue ethics requires, and their differences can alert us to the strengths and weaknesses in each. Bibliographic record and links to related information available from the library of congress catalog. Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong conduct. Confucian ethics study guide by nkuzio21 includes 7 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. Aristotle and confucius virtue focus is on how should i live. Aristotle, morality as virtue in mla style essay pages. But, as aristotle remarks near the beginning of his discussion of virtue and the good life, our discussion will be adequate if it has as much clearness as the subject matter admits of.
Friedrich nietzsche 18441900 was a german philosopher of the late 19th century who challenged the foundations of christianity and traditional morality. Get an answer for the ethics of confucius vs socrates i am in desperate need of help. The virtue ethics approach prompts us to consider our. Gier and others published the ethics of confucius and aristotle. Confucian ethics in the analects as virtue ethics digitalcommons. Confucius on ethics, introduction to philosophy, fall 2017. Contents data are machine generated based on prepublication provided by the publisher.
Views of aristotle and john stuart mill essay pages. Aristotle was a biologist, and so was very aware of the uses of rational thought in. Mirrors of virtue by jiyuan yu offers an introductory comparison in overview between confucian and aristotelian understandings of virtue. Confucius, however, goes a step further than aristotle, and helps escape the potential circularity of virtue ethics. Similarly, nietzsches philosophy is still seen in modern society today. Confucius and aristotle on the ethics of virtue running. Yet this is precisely what both the aristotelian and confucian moral traditions advocate. Yet for western readers confucius remains little known, and perhaps even less approachable than the major thinkers of the western philosophical tradition.
The similarity between the two philosophers was that they both had their own theories on morality that guided individual ethical behavior. Confucian ethics are maxims and prescriptions for social and political behavior based on writings by confucian philosophers and canons dealing with filial piety, rituals, and social behavior. Still a fledgling in chinese and comparative philosophy justin tiwald the past couple of decades have witnessed a remarkable burst of philosophical. There are two famous philosophers that have many views on the subject of virtue and they are confucius and aristotle. Both aristotle and confucius reject the socratic thesis that virtue. According to aristotle, virtue primarily involves the use of a persons rationality.
Virtue involves maintaining a balance between and pleasure. The project will be based on research but will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. Yu also praises mencius for his rich discussion of courage and criticizes aristotles coverage of this virtue courage as not easy to understand 161. In section 2, i subject two aspects of yus book to critical and philosophical examination. Jiyuan yu employs this image in his comparative study of confucian and aristotelian ethics. Confucius and aristotle on virtue research assignment. Table of contents for the ethics of confucius and aristotle. Explore the resemblances and differences between kantian and christian ethics. Comparison between the views of confucius and aristotle.
Mirrors of virtue and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. As a comparative study of the virtue ethics of aristotle and confucius, this book explores how they each reflect upon human good and virtue out of their respective cultural assumptions, conceptual frameworks, and philosophical perspectives. While confucius was born in china and spearheaded a new way of perceiving morality, aristotle was born in. By confucian ethics yu means, in a broad sense, what is included in the four classics. Jan 06, 2015 aristotles theory of virtue is more relevant than the ideas of confucius when it comes to contemporary society.
Confucius thinks that heavens nature in itself is the virtue of heaven because it is divine. The element of virtue clearly demonstrates the roles of an individuals character and the ethics that these characters embody in determining or evaluating behavior. Confucius and aristotle on virtue philosophers aristotle and confucius are both famous persons in the worlds history. Comparing the views of confucius and aristotle essay sample. Comparison between the views of confucius and aristotle free. Confucian ethics in the analects as virtue ethics introduction the confucian tradition embodies one of the most enduring and influential moral traditions in world history. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. Project paper comparative essay due week 8 and worth 200 points this assignment 2 writing assignment is a comparative essay focused on topics encountered in our hum 111 class. They both made significant contributions in the worlds virtues and ethics. I am trying to compare the ethics and philosophies of confucius and socrates. Plato, aristotle, confucius comparison by jackson warley. Aristotles ethical thinking, in contrast to modern western moral philosophy, starts with a reflection on human life as a whole instead of on some moral acts, and focuses on character and virtue instead of on principles and rules.
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