Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) created an approach to ethics, called Confucianism, that is centered around virtues and values that prioritize the family unit and an extension to that one’s society. The critical parts of Confucianism are Li, Yi, Shu, Xiao, and Ren. The concept of Li is centered around ritualistic behavior, a civilized society, non-superficial or insincere acts, and good manners. While Yi is Li in action or essentially the act of someone participating in ritualistic behavior, not being superficial, and possessing good manners. Then the concept of Shu is based on the principle of reciprocity which is essentially the idea of giving or receiving something in exchange for something given or received. This concept is vital in most of if not all of Confucius’s teachings.
The idea of Xiao is Filial piety which is the respect, obedience, and care of one’s parents, grandparents, and other ancestors. Finally, there is Ren which is the idea of benevolence, humanness, or kindheartedness in a relationship between two people. Confucius’s concept of Ren requires respect for members of society which is intended to be reciprocal. So, by its nature, Ren engages the concept of Shu. This exchange of respect is indiscriminate because it needs everyone to do their part in respecting each other no matter their age, race, or gender. Ren is often exhibited through charitable acts. For example, someone helps those who can’t take care of themselves such as children or the elderly. A superior person is someone who possesses all key parts of Confucianism. Ideally, the superior person acts in the mean which is essentially the middle ground where their actions don’t take place at any extreme. So, with these virtues, someone possesses junzi and therefore is a superior person, princess, or prince. Then, according to Confucius, this superior person is expected to serve in government positions, model balanced behavior, and teach others what is right and wrong. So, overall this superior person should be able to use these virtues and their knowledge to help establish order and harmony in their society.
The biggest weakness with Confucianism is that acting in our own self-interest for our own personal gain is part of our human nature. We may help and respect others, but often we have an underlying motive—whether conscious or subconscious—for some type of personal gain. Also, we often make decisions based on how the result of such action will impact us. We all have some underlying motive for own personal gain as you’re always looking out for yourself even if we love and care for others. Often our acts have good motives even if they are for personal gain, but we also can have negative motives that can harm others. Either way Confucianism needs us to care for and help others without the motive for self-gain and self-interest; instead, we are supposed to help better society by being the superior person. Also, as humans we naturally make mistakes so even when we have good intentions there are times, we make poor choices or make what seems like a good choice that ends up being a bad choice that can cause harm to others or society. Therefore, due to human nature, it is practically impossible for us to act according to Confucius’s approach to ethics consistently. I even fail at being a superior person according to the criteria of Confucianism.
Whether in small ways such as letting someone borrow my pencil in the hopes of them returning the favor when I need it. I even fail in more significant ways such as helping someone out with a big project or task and later I plan on calling them so that they can help me out when I need it. Not all of this is bad, and often we end up helping each other out. I feel like the problem with Confucianism is that we would always have to be selfless and acting on behalf of the whole group rather than for yourself. If I continuously put aside my goals to further another’s, I can live an unsatisfied life, and I could even begin to build resentment. However, even more, problematic is the lack of achieving optimum success. I think that by not meeting the goals I set for myself robs me of the opportunity to later be of greater service or help to others. Let’s say if I put my studies first, achieve good grades and land a high paying job. I then would have more resources for the use of benefiting of others.
