Answer at least one question (identify by # in your response), respond to at least one other post:
Q1: Is it possible to do something for the right reason(s) rather than benefit to self, pressure from others, etc.
Q2: What's the Confucian prescription?
Q3: What similarities do you see between Confucian beliefs and one other tradition we've studied earlier in this class (e.g., Buddhism, the Abrahamic traditions, Hinduism, existentialism)
Q4: What's the Confucian diagnosis?
Q5: Is human nature good, evil, mostly good, conflicted, tending toward bad. . . ?
Q5) I believe that human nature at it's most basic level is a confliction between good and bad. People are very much like a die; they have multiple masks, different identities depending on who they are interacting with. One doesn't talk to their grandmother the same way they talk to their best friend, or a stranger, or their boss, and the person assimilates different aspects of their personality to fit the person or situation.
ReplyDeleteNo one does something bad or evil purely for the sake of being bad or evil, it's just too unrealistic. And if they do, then they are clearly clinically insane. But no one is purely good because we are human, and are therefore flawed in our reasons and actions. It's guaranteed that we will all mess up and make the wrong choices once and a while, but most of the time we don't intentionally miss our mark.
#1
ReplyDeleteI believe that a person cannot do anything just for the right reason. There is always a motive behind everything a person does. Its always for some kind of personal gain. For example, a person helps an elderly lady with their groceries. Now it appears that they are just doing it because its the right thing to do but it is also possible that they are doing it so that they can get gratification for helping someone. That is a personal motive.
I agree with this statement. Even when you do not realize it, you look for at least a "Thank you"
DeleteI believe a person can do things for the right reasons because when helping someone across the street or help an elderly lady with her groceries. You can do it out of respect for her and simply helping her out so that she does not hurt herself. We are taught at a young age to say thank you for the small random acts of kindness that happen to us on a daily basis. However, in my opinion i would not expect a thank you just simply helping out of pure respect for the individuals dignity and respecting their existence as a human being and treating them as an equal.
DeleteQ1: I believe that it is very unlikely to do something for the right reason. Nothing is "Impossible" but even when we do something like holding a door, we unconsciously are waiting for a "Thank you" from that person, or when driving and we let someone over, we look for that hand wave. So even when we do not look for something in return, we truly are wanting something.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right in saying that we look for some sort of acknowledgment when preforming some action even though we don't intend to, but does that simple act of looking for acknowledgment mean that we did it for our own benefit?
DeleteJacob, good question, and I think that each person has a different thought or meaning of what "benefit" is. Personally I don't see much benefit in receiving a "thank you" from someone when I hold the door for them.
DeleteQ5: I believe that human nature is basically good, but is conflicted due to the nature of free will. I uphold this belief through my experiences with other people and also my religious beliefs. In my experience I have found that no human being I have encountered so far does harm to those around them just for the sake of doing harm. Most often when they believe it is appropriate to do harm they have justified it to themselves in order to exact some sort of revenge or retribution on the people they believe responsible. That's not to say that the person exacting revenge does not struggle in making the decision but instead I mean that usually they will end up weighing the consequences before taking action. From my personal view (and I believe this is somewhat accepted through out our society) I have always been told to forgive someone when they do something to hurt or harm you, whether intentional or not, and although it may feel good to exact revenge on those deserving I believe that this usually does not come without some inexplicable feeling of guilt because we know that it is right to forgive the other person.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2:
ReplyDeleteThe core of Confucianism is humanism, a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, both individually and collectively. There are two primary relations: human to human and human to nature, both god and the afterlife play a minimal role. The prescription for the ills of human existence and poor handling of these relationships is self-discipline and harmony. The perfect man is described as one who "cultivates himself and thereby brings peace and security to the people." There is strong emphasis on honoring and obeying those inn your family and community. Actions should not be done for rewards; conversely, righteousness ought to be its own reward. Pure kindness and moral perfection, or benevolence, should determine all aspects of life. Furthermore, according to Confucius, the Classics should be studied in order to achieve moral perfection.
Here's a link to the classics for reference.
Deletehttp://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/
Q1: Personally I think that it is possible to do something for the right reason(s) rather than a benefit to oneself or as pressure from others. For me, I volunteer for a lot of different functions and events because it is a way to help the community and others in need. I never think to myself before signing up for something that this will look good on the resume or someone else is going to look at me differently because I have done some of the things that I have or have not done. Yes I feel good about doing volunteer work and helping people when I can, but I do not have some motive of looking for something in return. I think that there are also differences between generations and their expectations and thoughts around these sorts of things. Some people look for instant recognition on things they have done, while others aren't too concerned about receiving a "thank you" or "good job" for things that they have done. Perhaps I am a little naive, but I like to think that there are still people in the world who do things purely for the good without any return.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to do something for the right reason(s) rather than benefit to self, pressure from others, etc.?
ReplyDeleteThere are two things that have lead me to believe that it is not possible for humans to do things without gaining some sort of benefit: psychological egoism and hedonism.
Both explain that acts are motivated by self interest, even if they seem altruistic. Doing so will bring pleasure, immediate or delayed, in some sort of way, to the person performing these acts of "kindness." In essence we do not do things out of the kindness of our hearts but for reward.
Epicurus stated that doing virtuous acts are not for the other person but to increase the well being of the self.
Freud's pleasure principal argues the same.
I have long battled with this thought due to what I deemed I was doing "good" for other people. Doing good made me feel good, which makes it authentic but not altruistic like I would like it to seem.
Q1- I think it is not possible for a person to do something for a reason other than benefiting oneself. I as much as we would like to think we can, everything we do there is a reason behind it. Whether it is for obvious personal gain, or just making you feel good about yourself, there will always be a reason behind an action. That's not to say humans are bad because we feel something for helping a person. It is psychological and innate within our nature, much as animals are the same way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Nick. Whether we will admit it or not, we carefully think about our decisions. A lot of our decisions are made because they make us feel better because we were able to help someone else out. Also we hope that however we help someone out, someone will help us out too.
DeleteQ1- I believe it is possible to do something for the right reasons rather than benefit to self. I believe that these are the everyday things that we do in life that do not matter much at all. Something as simple as holding the door open for someone complete stranger. Or possibly putting things back in the right spot. Also cleaning things up when you are done using them. It does not benefit self to clean up a spill to where you will never be again but it is for the benefit of others to enjoy the same cleanliness that you have.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you Chris people do the little things all the time and do not think twice about it. I also think the same can be said for bigger acts of gratitude. I know people who donate to charities or other things with out letting anyone know.
DeleteQ#1 I feel that anyone can do something simply because that its the right thing to do without wanting anything in return. I am willing to help out anyone because i know helping them will make their lives a little bit less hectic. In my experience i have helped out friends and family many of times and expected nothing in return for me helping them. I don't expect to be thanked or receive recognition for the generous acts that i have done in my life.
ReplyDeleteQ#1 i feel that it is possible to do something for the right reasons rather than to benefit oneself. People do things everyday to help one another without even realizing it. I was always taught to be polite and like the answer above, something as simple as holding a door for someone is one of those things i was taught. When i hold a door for someone it in no way is benefiting myself but it is being nice. It is simply just helping someone for no reason.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it is possible for someone to do the right thing for someone else rather than the benefit of themselves. While sometimes we don't notice that we are doing these things, I feel as if a lot of people are brought up by being taught to do things for others before yourself. Some of these things may not play a huge impact but doing the simple things for other people go a long way.
ReplyDelete#1. I truly believe that it is not possible. This is because even at a young age we are taught the Golden Rule. "Treat others the way you want to be treated." Based on this we can make the argument we only do things for other people so that if we ever needed a favor, they would return it. Also as for doing the little things, it really does make yourself feel better when you are able to make someone else's life a little easier. I wish i were able to believe that it was possible to do something without benefiting yourself in some way.
ReplyDelete