Free Essay About ‘the Way’ Of Confucius

The code of ethics stands out as a wide concept on how human beings treat each other. In most contexts, it acts as a guideline for determining whether an action is fit or not and narrows down to the overall treatment. It is for this reason that various philosophers and lawmakers find it hard to create a particular code, which can govern or direct people entirely. Unlike robots, human beings act and react differently depending on their interaction with each other. Hence, most of the guidelines provided by people in regards to the code of ethics have conflicting opinions towards their viewpoints. In the passages, Confucius points out the code of ethics in his illustration of ‘The Way’.
In his book, The Analects, Confucius explorers the guidelines that people follow as illustrated with the heavenly and historical perspectives. According to him, people show extreme confidence in the will of heaven by putting their beliefs on portents such as eclipses, comets, and rainbows. These beliefs hold strong cultural taboos and meanings such as the two-headed calves, which imply a cursed homestead. People with such practices believe in their signs and wonders more than the viewpoints of former kings. Confucius describes these viewpoints as the ‘Way of the good people’, unlike following the Will of Heaven.
Confucius ‘Way’ dwelt upon the interaction between man to man rather than man to spirits. Most western writers drew him out as one of the few people who did not believe in supernatural spirits, which made him draw out most of his conclusions without referring to the spirits. However, in the passages VI, 20 and XI, 11, he brings the spirits into perspective and draws out their significance to human beings and code of ethics. In these two passages, one can understand the various perspectives Confucius had towards human beings and their interpretations towards what the spirits offer them. However, their conflicting statements or viewpoints might not fully satisfy the interpretation of the code of ethics.
The first passage talks about a disciple who seeks wisdom from a ruler; though Confucius does not elaborate on the person or persons to whom the disciple seeks advice. The wisdom referred to in the context comes from the early Chinese literature, which sought to define whether claims by people should come first than those of the spirit-world. In some contexts, the whole state’s security depends on the goodwill of spirits of soils, hills, rivers, and grains. Hence, it would be inappropriate to ignore their power in guiding the common people. It is for this reason that people offer lavish sacrifices and offerings towards the spirits despite heavy taxation or hardships.
The second passage talks about Shen and his master. According to him, his way has one thread that runs through him, a perspective that was quite confusing for the disciples. Master Tseng adds that his way was simply a consideration and loyalty. Still, his words were not quite satisfying, as he was full of parables. Nonetheless, he provides several elaborations towards his thoughts; for example, the gentleman who takes too much trouble to discover what would be right for the lesser man as he understands what to pay. In these illustrations, he dwells upon his thoughts between a ruler and his servant by using illustrations of previous scenarios.
In the two illustrations, the code of ethics narrows down to the ways of interaction with others and spirits. Moreover, no particular beliefs are right or wrong in the end, as it highly depends on an individual’s final action.