Confucianism and Taoism/ Emma Egli

What is the human condition?

From what we've learned in class, Confucianism is more so a system of ethics while Taoism is a path of behavior. While both spawn from different creators (although it's hard to determine if Lao-tzu was a real person) and consist of different ideologies, they both seem to share a common goal: to seek harmony and order in one's life, as well as with the rest of the universe.

Confucius's main concern were the principals that govern our lives. According to him, human perfection can't be obtained through religious rituals, but instead solely by respecting moral values. He denied the worship of Gods or spirits and strictly pursued the perfection of human character.

Taoism on the other hand states that humans must align their lives with the life of nature. Human nature is essentially reflective of the universe. All instincts and feelings should not be hindered, but instead, should manifest freely. Just like the universe, humans have an ascending and descending life which ends in death.

What is the solution to the problem?

Confucius felt that the ideal of shu, or reciprocity, should guide all actions. What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others (precursor to the Golden Rule). Through self-discipline, a human is able to move in accordance to Tao, and thus will enjoy the principle of change. We are here to better ourselves and society and this is done through education and enlightenment.

Taoism encourages us to seek a harmonious way to relate to oneself, others, nature and the universe. To arrive back at this pure inwardness, it is necessary to reverse all self-seeking and cultivate perfect cleanliness of thought and body.

How do we move from the problem to the solution?

Confucius suggested five basic principals: Jen, Chun tzu, Li, Te and Wen. By integrating these, virtue and a moral self is achieved. It also encourages understanding the five major human relationships that should be governed by respectability: Ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, older brother to younger siblings, and elders to juniors. By following these, it means becoming a better chun tzu - a fully realized human being - through expanding one's sympathy and empathy indefinitely.

In Taoism, it is necessary to align one's daily life to the Tao, and the basic way to do this is to perfect a life of wu wei. Through contemplation, meditation, and by rejecting worldly affairs, material goods, ambition and luxury, you can obtain the Tao. By also following the flow of yin and yang - the manifestation of Tao in the world - one can better come to terms with reality.

How best to live the solution in our own lives?

I really like the idea that both Confucianism and Taoism sort of encourage this sort of tossing out of worshipping any deities. Instead, they encourage you to simply live. Confucianism seems like a very practical system of ethics, and I believe that Confucius was on the right track when he envisioned an ideal society and I think it's a shame he wasn't really able to implement it while he was still alive. I'm a firm believer of the "Golden Rule" - although I'm sure he wouldn't have really liked the term "rule" - and it should go without saying that humans should want to treat others with respect or order to receive the same treatment. While Taoism is on much more of a spiritual and abstract plane, I like that it encourages naturalness, non-action and inwardness. The fact that a supreme being or an ultimate truth is quite frankly beyond words or any conceptual understanding is incredibly significant, because I feel like no matter which religion you follow or practice, you can never fully know the answers to the human condition.