ORIENTAL PHILOSOPHY

The first Philosophy in order is the so-called Oriental, which, however, does not enter into the substance or range of our subject as represented here. Its position is preliminary, and we only deal with it at all in order to account for not treating of it at greater length, and to show in what relation it stands to Thought and to true Philosophy. The expression Eastern philosophy is specially employed in reference to the period in which this great universal Oriental conception aroused the East — the land of circumscription and of limitation, where the spirit of subjectivity reigns. More particularly in the first centuries of Christendom — that significant period — did these great Oriental ideas penetrate into Italy; and in the Gnostic philosophy they began to force the idea of the illimitable into the Western mind, until in the Church the latter again succeeded in obtaining the ascendency and hence in firmly establishing the Divine. That which we call Eastern Philosophy is more properly the religious mode of thought and the conception of the world belonging generally to the Orientals and approximates very closely to Philosophy; and to consider the Oriental idea of religion just as if it were religious philosophy, is to give the main reason why it is so like.

 

  CONFUCIANISM

•             Had its beginning in the teachings of Confucius but the following sages took the lead in building its formulation? Mencius and Hzun-Tzu.

•             Confucius is the Latinized name for Kung-Fu-Tzu-Fu-Tzu. Tze which means master, is a polite suffix added to the names of most of the philosophers during the Chou Dynasty.

•             Confucius was the founder of the Ju School which was known in the west as the Confucian School.

•             The Ju or Confucian School emphasized matters concerning human-heartedness and righteousness and the six liberal arts commonly translated as Liu Yi or the Six Classics namely:

 

Ø Yi Ching or the Book of Changes

Ø Shi-Ching or the Book of Odes

Ø Shu-Ching or the Book of History

Ø Li-chi or the Rituals and Rites

Ø Chu‘unCh‘iu or the Book of Spring and Autumn Annals

 

•             The primary goal of Confucius was not just to make his‖ disciples‖ to ne well versed of the Classics but to be ―rounded men‖, useful to the state and the society. Thus, he taught them various branches of knowledge (ancient cultural history, interpretations based on his moral concepts) based on the different Classics.

•             Confucius ‗philosophy is HUMANISTIC. It occupies mainly with HUMAN RELATIONS and VIRTUE. This, his concept of the Yi (Righteousness) and Jen (human heartedness).

•             Counfucianist‘s great virtue were: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, sincerity and harmony.

•             Confucius‘ Ideas

 

Ø His Ethics is based upon the nature of man and society‘

 

Ø For him MAN is essentially a social being; he is the main component of a society (made by the individuals who compose it and the interaction they have each other)

 

Ø A MORAL man is the cooperating member of the society.

 

 

Ø The measures of the man‘s life is not ―how long‖ but ―how good‖.

 

Ø All men desire happiness and in order to achieve it everyone‘s goal must be to make each other happy.

 

Ø The secret of his mark in history is based on the great emphasis on the Supremacy of HUMAN VALUES. WISDOM is to KNW men; VIRTUE is to LOVE men‖.

 

Ø A government is GOOD when it make its people happy

 

Ø The government should bring about welfare and happiness of the whole people.

 

Ø A good government must be administered by the most capable men of the country- those who have the CHARACTER and KNOWLEDGE.

 

Ø Character and knowledge were produced by PROPER EDUCATION

 

  CONFUCIANISM:DOCTRONE OF JEN    

§  Jen or benevolence is the central thesis of his whole system- his ethic, politics and his life ideal-flowed from this; this is the PERFECT and SUPREME VIRTUE.

§  The Jen stresses correct procedure fir human relations-proper way for men to meet each other‘s leading to positive efforts for the good of others.

§  A man of Jen is man of all around virtue

§  Jean is the Confucian ideal of:

 

-          Cultivating human relations

-          Developing human faculties

-          Sublimating one‘s personality

-          Upholding human rights

§  To achieve Jen one must practice the Chung and the Shu (the Principle of Reciprocity).

-          Chung- means faithfulness; a state of the mind when one is completely honest with himself

 

-          Shu- means altruisn; it is regard for the others; a state of mind when one has complete understanding and sympathy with the outside world, the opposite of selfishness.

 

  CONFUCIANMISM DOCTRINCE OF YI

      

§  Literally, Yi means righteousness

§  The concept of Yi is the one that upholds man‘s conduct

§  It is the highest principle embodied in the activities of mankind

§  CONFUCIANIS

§  Spirit of Confucians

§  Confucianism is not a Religion but a Philosophy and a system of Ethics. Confucianism emphasizes human relationships- how to live in harmony with others. Man‘s personality reflects itself in his actions and behavior in the five relationships: 

 

a.   Governmental (King and Subject)

b.   Parental (Father and Son)

c.   Conjugal ( Husband and Wife)

d.   Fraternal ( Elder Brother and Younger Brother)

e.   Friendship ( Friend and Friend)

 

On Ethics

§  Confucianism upholds (5) constant virtues:

a.  Human heartedness (jen)

b.  Righteousness (yi)

c.   Propriety (li)

d.  Wisdom (chin)

e.  Sincerity (hsin)

§  Chinese Ethical Principles or Doctrine of Social Norms

 

§  This is the most significant contribution of Confucianism in the Chinese civilization.

§  It stresses that every man is encouraged to practice filial piety and fraternal love. This action when extended to a larger social group would mean regulation of the family and also the good government of the state. This could translate to PEACE in the world.

§  Doctrine of the Social Status or the Rectification of Names

 

·        Refers to the idea of the position of man among men; that every man must be in his proper place and with is proper responsibilities and duties.

·        Every name contains certain implications which constitute the essence of that class of things to which the name applies.

 

  MENCIUS

•             Mencius represents the IDEALISTIC Wing of Confucianism.

•             He is famous f9e his theory on The Original Goodness of Human Nature

-          Human nature is neither good or bad

-          Human nature can either be good or bad

-          The nature of some men is food while the other is bad

-          Human nature is good

 

•             For him, he proof of the original goodness of human nature is COMMISERATION. This feeling where man cannot bear to see the suffering of others.

•             Four (3) Elements that what makes man, MAN

-          The Feeling of Commiseration- the beginning of human heartedness (jen)

-          The Feeling of Shame and Dislike-the beginning of righteousness (yi)

-          The Feeling of Modesty and Yielding- the beginning of propriety (li)

 

   Mencius’ Political Philosophy 

•             Man is a political animal

•             Man can fully developed these relationships only within state and society

•             Concerned on having GOOD Government-depends on the good example of the ruler.

•             Curriculum emphasizes on social reforms as the aim of education. It focuses on student experience and taking social actions on real problems.

•             Method of teaching include the problem oriented type (student are encouraged to critically examine cultural heritage), group discussions, inquiry, dialogues, interactions and community-based learning

•             The classroom will serve as a laboratory in experiencing school practices-bringing the world into the classroom.

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