Aristotle and Confucius on Virtue Essay

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Comparison between Aristotle and Confucius on Virtue, Good Ethical Character and Conduct




Yu (1998) says that the word 'virtue' is derived from the Latin word 'virtus'. 'Vir' means manhood in literal translation from Latin. Consequently, Latin authors used it to translate 'arete'' from Greek, which referred to the perfect qualities of man. Any human action that completes and undertakes its function flawlessly can be said to be a virtue. Virtue is therefore an important human attribute that is necessary in our daily lives. This paper seeks to explore virtue by comparing how the two philosophers: Confucius and Aristotle viewed virtues and ethics.

Virtue, Good Ethical Character and Conduct




According to Confucius and Aristotle, virtue extends beyond knowledge. Confucius says that humans are good, by nature and that such goodness only requires nurturing to perfect it. On his part, Aristotle thinks that human function is naturally rational. He says that the element of rationality sets human apart from animals. Aristotle holds a life filled with practical reasoning and total virtue to be the most valuable. He adds that theoretical reason accompanied by contemplation that constitutes supreme good. Repeated practice has the effect of transforming the self. He says that as human grow they should embrace rationale. Confucius does not think that way (Yu, 2007).



According to Santiago (2008), Aristotle held the view that a person is a being with a unique property; an essential element that sets him apart from the rest. Any being that knows their essence supplies them with the rationale to assign a purpose to that unique being. It is the purpose that provides a chance for such beings to serve their own existence. Serving one's true calling; the highest calling; is closely linked and proportional to the extent to which one serves their purpose. Aristotle points out that when we develop and use our unique capacity to reason, we live with happiness. According to Aristotle, human good is essentially the activity of the soul that conforms to excellent deeds. He clarifies that virtues are born out of excellence of some type of activity in general terms. The overall virtue is anchored in one's essence. The philosopher points out that people's true and highest calling, is living in conformity with their own true nature, i.e. reasoning.

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Living according to reason is the real good that man can achieve and not living in line with pursuit of the goals people set for themselves to ''realize happiness''. Aristotle says that this safeguards us from falling into excesses or reclining in deficiency.



It is evident that an exemplary man, morally, in Confucius' time is significantly distinct from a morally exemplary one in Aristotelian culture. In the Confucian view, a person is defined progressively. It was knit around the observation that a human being isn't essentially who people are, but rather who they continually strive to become. It explains that no human is born with inherent and unalterable attribute. Such a human being transforms and becomes better in phases as they relate with others. When people fail to follow suit, they are qualified to be brutes in their selfishness. The Confucian view emerges from earlier Chinese tradition that portrayed the concept of being a person as intrinsic and social in its constitution. The view postulates that one can never be a person alone but in a relationship with others. In Confucius' view, no person exists unless they are two or more. If people are deprived of all relationships, it would not help to unearth the central essence that defines human nature. Confucius heralds virtue as being a fulfillment of human potential. Owing to the fact that such potential is at, minimum, provided in the relationships people are born in, the initial and most significant virtues surround family. Striving for familial relationships defines virtue. Relationships inspire improvement; thus they can be valued on their own merit (Santiago, 2008).



Aristotelian tradition portrays an individual-based view of morality. It states that the ancient Geeks pondered, '' how should I live? '' Since the agent was presumptively an individual, the response was in line with the question formulation. The same can be said of the Confucian view of morality. Yet, people observe that the question of morality is formulated a little differently. It is more like ''How shall we attend to the needs of others effectively? ''. The response, thus, must incorporate others.A self sufficient, independent….....

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References


Santiago, J. (2008). Confucian Ethics in the Analects as Virtue Ethics. Philosophical Ideas and Artistic Pursuits in the Traditions of Asia and the West (p. 8). College of Dupage, Digital Commons: http://dc.cod.edu

Smith, P. D. (2014, September 25). Virtue Ethics: an ancient solution to a modern problem. Retrieved August 24, 2016, from Scientia Salon: https://scientiasalon.wordpress.com/2014/09/25/virtue-ethics-an-ancient-solution-to-a-modern-problem/

Yu, J. (2007). The Ethics of Confucius and Aristotle: Mirrors of Virtue. New York and London: Routledge.

Yu, J. (1998). Virtue: Confucius and Aristotle. Philosophy East and West, Vol. 48, No. 2, 323-347. Retrieved from JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org

Zalta, E. N. (2014). Chinese Ethics. Retrieved August 24, 2016, from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-chinese/

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