A Balance Approach On Eastern And Western Civilizations

A Chinese family expects the child to support the family by doing well in school and obeying his parents. The Chinese value education as a stepping stone to success. Children are under a lot of pressure to succeed in school. Eddie speaks about how Confucius had a profound impact on his parent’s views and values. After all Confucius has been credited with stressing the importance of virtue and natural order in a civil society.

Throughout history western and eastern philosophies have developed a vast segregation from one another. The geographical and cultural distance between eastern and western civilization determined massive differences between the two. On the other hand, the works of ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, and some eastern philosophies like Taoism have many of the same or common ideas and concepts. Both eastern and western philosophies regardless of having similarities have distinctive differences when examining the view of the conception of the good. In this rgard, each philosophy is noticed to have beliefs that strive for followers to improve their lives and to be on a path of self-purification. This essay will primarily focus on

The past centuries saw a clear distinction between the Western civilization and the non-western culture. The western civilization composed of Greece, Romans, Byzantine Empire, and the European while the non-western civilizations included East Asia, Egypt, Persian Empire, Sassanid Empire, African Societies and Kingdoms, Incas, Mayans, Aztecs, and Mongols. For a long period, the western civilizations prevailed around the world. They influenced, lead and controlled others in various sectors such as medicine, clothing, business orientations, religion, and government. In this paper, I will be affirming my conviction that the western civilizations had unique attributes that made them more powerful than the non-western civilizations. I will also show how the western cultures were influenced by the spread of Christianity, and how the western cultures have maintained their great influence and power over the other societies even in the modern era.

For example, the Analects of government, sage, virtue, and manners give a sense of teachings and positive philosophies to follow in order to become a good ruler and obtaining and giving respect. While the Classics and ideals of popper conduct, political peace, moral power, love and ideal humanity help to reinforce the Analects by giving an ideology of a humanism. As Confucian gives words of wisdom of establish a community who should act only when necessary, use knowledge for the benefit of all, and to live in peace in order to developed a stronger culture. Confucius gives the Chinese people a focus on the cultivation of virtue and maintenance of ethics, creating a community of righteousness and moral disposition to do good and how one should act in a community. Overall, Confucianism is a source of values, the social code of the Chinese, and a substance of

Cradles of Civilizations lie in the societies that were recognized for being the first of a certain aspect to Western Civilization that made an impact. The four major ones are Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China. Each of the four has similarities between them, despite being in different locations. There is also the possibility of more of these civilizations existing besides the four main ones. The general characteristics of a complex societies or civilization include military and religion. The cradles of civilization fall perfectly into the definition of complex.

Confucius created the doctrine that 300 years after his death became a permanent impulse of social life in China, established rules of behaviour not only in the state, but also the family as a social unit.1

The ancient Chinese introduced three major religious views—Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism—during the “hundred schools” era, but Confucianism was by far the most influential upon the Chinese population. The major belief of Confucianism was that an individual’s affairs would prosper if they acted in accordance with their Dao, which was unique to each person depending on their individual role in life. An individual’s Dao was centered around the concept of duty and the idea of humanity. It was thought that there was a responsibility of all humans to base their own aspirations and interests upon the broader need of their family and/or community. Therefore, each individual would not only prosper themselves, but also prosper the other individuals surrounding them as well, creating a more stable community. It was also thought that each individual should have compassion and empathy towards one another, promoting good behavior from all individuals and fostering tolerance among communities. The concept of duty and idea of humanity brought about by the Confucian beliefs had a powerful influence on not only individuals, but the community as a whole through individual actions, having a great impact upon Chinese society and stabilizing it as a whole.

After conducting this substantial research, I believe that I have gained a lot of knowledge between the eastern and western cultures. I gathered information not only from the class module, but books and online articles as well. These references helped me realize how self-oriented the eastern culture is without being selfish. However, the information gathered also taught me how social and exclusive western cultures tend to be.

Western and Confucian Ethics have many differences, starting with the concept of ritual practice. Early in Ames writing he states, “There are variable degrees of personalization in ritual practices, and the roles they establish are hierarchical. These roles form a kind of social syntax.” (Ames, 200) In order to understanding ritual practice, the five bonds in relationships in hierarchical order are ruler to ruled, father to son, husband to wife, elder brother to younger bother and friend to friend. Once you understand the significant of the hierarchical roles more enlightenment come in understanding the ritual life of the Chinese. Further Ames says, “Ritual preserves and transmits culture. Ritual socializes a person and makes one a member

The term “Confucianism” is often regarded as a complex mechanism of social, political, moral as well as religious beliefs that have considerable influence especially upon the civilizations belonging to the East Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea along with Singapore and Vietnam. With reference to the observation made by Reid (1999), it can be viewed that a clear depiction about different principles and beliefs exists within the sphere of “Confucianism”. Therefore, the major purpose of this report is to briefly review of T. R. Reid’s book “Confucius Lives Next Door: What Leaving In The East Teaches Us About Living In the West” through concisely unfolding the experience of

The study of human nature has been one that is largely debated in Chinese Philosophy, spanning for almost 25 centuries since the Zhou dynasty (Scarpari, 323). While their Western counterparts were concerned with developing a perfect guide for ethics, Chinese philosophy seeks to first discover the innate nature of human beings, before determining the type of governance and structure of society to progressively develop their community We will explore these questions that arise after the Song dynasty that later became a central debate in Confucianism. Some have contended that the human nature debate between Mencius and Xunzi converges as they both aim for the same outcome. In this

Morality, traditional culture and belief, is what is coupled with the human's all time. Since the ancient times to the present, every nation, every language has these are engaged. Which is what should be treated and hold for living. If none of these societies from ancient to present may not be the society to this day

Availability and understanding of available information by an individual was taken as a very important treasure. The issues that Confucius taught to be followed were not entirely scientific learning but rather the study of the consecrated contents and the tenets of good worth and propriety (Oliver, 1985). An additional element which he held high was the control of proper example. The heroes, heroines and great people that existed were greatly exemplified by Confucius. Confucius did this by persisting on the scrutiny of the conservative models. Many of his well recorded aphorisms are tributes of his considered men of high caliber. Confucius trained his supporters the significance of constantly welcoming the rectification of personal liabilities. To further assist in the creation of an upright moral fiber, he cherished a particular amount of strength of will. He acknowledged the threat, particularly in the youthful, of falling into unwanted behavior, so he persisted on eradicating the push for uncalled for reassurances (Ferguson, 1972).

The Chinese civilization connects family life with the effect of the military on the state through the Mandate of Heaven bestowed on the ruling family, which makes them secure the civilization and in turn makes the family morals

When Western people think of Confucianism, they often think of it in a past sense- as something only relevant to ancient China that cannot be applied to modern day society. However, what these people fail to realize is that Confucianism’s roots have been so integrated into China’s society that the values have become a part of every day life. Without having to explicitly state that they are following specifics aspects of Confucianism, most Chinese people submit to them, often times unknowingly. However, Confucian values not only exist in the Chinese society, but also permeate into other areas of Chinese culture such as architecture and aspects of Feng-Shui.