The Comparison Between Two Philosophers
Out of the Eastern philosophies, Confucianism and Taoism have interesting differences. I have found that the eastern philosophy is a lot different than the western philosophy. Though, Eastern thinking has pulled a strong popular appeal in our culture.
Confucianism deals with a belief in social interaction, or humanism. Confucius (551 - 479 bc) believed that human beings contained the source of values needed to improve themselves, which in turn would improve society. He believed that people were basically good, but the question was: Are people forgetting how to be good? Or, are people not practicing how to be good? I like what Confucius says about righteousness. One should not claim to want or not want to do something. Rather, one should just do what needs to be done, as long as it is right. Confucius stressed the need for righteousness in order to improve jen. Confucianism established social and political norms in ancient China. Confucianism posited a Way to be followed, a Way which governed the universe. However, because the earth was the immediate and practical expression of the Way, Confucians considered the earth's highest product, human society, to be the source of authority.
Taoism deals with a belief in acting in harmony with nature, or naturalism. Tao also refers to "the way of human life" meaning with the universal Tao in its second sense. This fundamental idea of Taoism has much to do with the "view of unity of man with Heaven and Earth, that is, with Nature." Taoism derives its ethics from nature and the universe, not from the authority of tradition or a body of scholars and gentlemen. He realized that government and society are not ethical. He also explains how people must find their rightful place in it, but human contrivances not in harmony with nature (i.e., the universe) must be examined and rejected. The experience of solitude, Tao tells our conscious of being part of it and not apart from it. For example, a...
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