Virtue: Comparing the Views of Confucius and Aristotle Essay

Both St. Augustine’s Confessions and Confucius’s Analects are significant teachings that have influenced people around the world not only in ancient times but in current history as well. Both doctrines provide discussion on the ethical values of society back in the ancient time they were written and lead us to discover similarities between the two beliefs. Although we find these connections, there are significant differences between St. Augustine and Confucius’s views on life and beliefs since they were living in different time periods and environments. Their experiences are the influencers that have impacted to the way that philosophies and traditions have grown today between the West and the East. I agree that Confucius celebrated social

Aristotle and Plato both said that there are four "natural virtues": Justice, Prudence, Temperance, and Fortitude. These values are all necessary to achieve human flourishing. Another key part of Aristotle’s ethic is what he referred to as ‘The Golden Mean’. He believed that a virtue can not necessarily be viewed as a virtue when it is used in excess. For example, courage is a virtue, but in excess it becomes rashness, a vice rather than a virtue. Moreover, when there is a lack of a certain virtue, this is also considered a vice. Aristotle's ethic is based primarily on balance. There cannot be too much excess or too little of the virtue. Thus, he said: "The mean [i.e. the balance] is successful and commendable. Virtue then is a state of deliberate moral purpose consisting in a mean that is relative to ourselves, the mean being determined by reason, or as a prudent man would determine it.”

pg. 733, para 2: Virtue (doing right) is the most obvious connection between morality and

Virtuous behavior is to experience emotions at the right time, toward the right object or people for the right reason in the right manner in accordance with the mean. – Aristotle

The philosophy of Confucius's teachings brought prosperity, order, and allowed the advancement of the Chinese

Virtue ethics is a concept that is used in the process of moral decision making. It is dependent on the individuals themselves rather than on society, culture and religion. Aristotle was one of the main philosophers involved in virtue ethics. He was an advocate for virtue. Virtue ethics are associated with the type of person that one should become. It is solely concerned with human nature and morals. This essay will explore Aristotle’s conception of virtue. I will discuss Aristotle’s belief that virtue ethics are vital in achieving the ultimate goal of happiness. I will further consider and examine his theory of the Doctrine of the Mean. Finally, I will explore how Aristotle distinguishes between the two kinds of virtues and this will result

Philosophy can best be described as an abstract, scholarly discourse. According to the Greek, philosophia refers to ‘love of knowledge’. This is an aspect that has involved a great number of clever minds in the world’s history. They have sought to deal with issues surrounding the character of veracity and significantly exploring the endeavors to respond to these issues. This paper seeks to compare and contrast the philosophy of Aristotle with that of Confucius. This is with a clear concentration on the absolute functions of these philosophies and how they take care of the particular responsibility of a person and the broader society and the resultant effects on societies (Barnes, 1995).

The Confucius influence encourages support of education and learning from books and from the past, refinement of social rituals to smooth the relationships of people in a community. The western culture has vastly deviated from Confucius teaching. Each day the western culture ignores more rituals and become more self-absorbed. A glance at today 's headlines or reality TV makes this obvious. Today there are still some existing rituals and moral behavior, but the boundaries blur with each generation.

Aristotle believes that there are two kinds of virtue, one being intellectual and the other being moral virtue. He states that Intellectual virtue comes from being taught meaning we’re not born with it. Moral virtue on the other hand we develop as we grow and gain an understanding of life. “The stone which by nature moves downwards cannot be habituated to move upwards, not even if one tries to train it by throwing it up ten thousand times” (N.E. II.1) Right there he is talking about how if you are designed to do one thing, it is impossible to do the opposite no matter how hard you force it. He talks about how we gain our virtues by practicing them and using them on a regular basis. That is how we learn

Socrates and Confucius were both considered well-known philosophical thinkers that made a major impact to the lives of the people who followed their work. Socrates had a mission which was to, “expose the ignorance of those who thought of themselves as wise and try to convince his fellow citizens that everyman is responsible for his own moral attitudes,” and proved to be a major influence in the city of Athens (G.M.A Grube IV). Confucius was also more of a teacher figure and sought out as a philosopher to, “be actively involved in intellectual and social trends, and to improve the quality of life that was dependent upon them,” which he pursued by the teaching of his “six arts” (Ames & Rosemont 4). In order for one to comprehend some of the of the similarities and differences between Socrates and Confucius one could compare their moral convictions, religious beliefs, views on wisdom, and their views on virtue.

Confucius created a system of thinking called Confucianism. If only one word could be used to summarize the Chinese way of life for the last two thousand years, that word would be Confucian. No other person has had as great an effect on the life and thought of the Chinese people as Confucius. He is the most adored person in Chinese history. Confucius claimed no greatness, instead he looked to a past time that he saw as the golden age. He told one of his disciples, "I transmit but I do not create. I am sincerely fond of the ancient. I would compare myself to Old P'eng who was fond of talking about the good old days." Confucius was a transmitter of the wisdom of the past. From his study of Chinese tradition, he gathered the

In Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses the idea of moral virtue. Aristotle emphasized the importance of developing moral virtue as the way to achieve what is finally more important, human flourishing (eudaimonia). Aristotle makes the argument in Book II that moral virtue arises from habit—equating ethical character to a skill that is acquired through practice, such as learning a musical instrument. However in Book III, Aristotle argues that a person 's moral virtue is voluntary, as it results from many individual actions which are under his own control. Thus, Aristotle confronts us with an inherently problematic account of moral virtue.

During this semester, I learn lots of different ideas from different philosophers. I can get more knowledge and inspiration from the philosopher and I can think the question clearly in ways. However, the Confucius brings me a big influence and it is a very interesting because there are lots of ideas and concepts in a book called The Analects. In this paper, I will examine Confucius. Confucius is one of the most famous philosophers in China and he is a venerable teacher in the ancient China. The main concept of Confucius’ “Ren”. In Chinese, “Ren” means humanity and it is the principle of the moral. For people, humanity is a quality of human being. In another word, humanity is a part of a person 's character and it represents the real nature of Also, “Ren” gives me some inspiration to help me to think about which kind of person I want to be. Learning in different ways, doing the right things in the appropriate position, treatment among people and the human’s nature are four things that I can learn from Confucius.

was the education for China for 2,000 years. Confucius had few simple morals, to honor one?s parents and

Throughout history, there have been historical figures that have changed the way we think in the world. These people are called philosophers. Philosophers are people who view the world in a different way with theories and questions in ethics and logic. They do not see the world as just black and white; they are the ones that discover color in between. They find a deeper meaning to what black and white really is. Although, it may seem like something so simple to the average person, a philosopher would see it is another world of hidden meanings. Some famous philosophers throughout time are people like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle who shaped the way Greeks thought the way they did in history. They were the foundation of not only their