Question

Deliberate tradition is traditions that are deliberately designed to create a moral society. Confucianism embraces this idea because he wants to design a society where people are good by nature. Some advantages of this tradition is that it promotes empathy, diligence, leading by example, the arts, and service to others. Regarding the quote of page 163 of the reading, I agree that the United States lacks tradition despite being called the melting pot. Rather than embracing and encouraging tradition, America has been forced upon reason though the Jeffersonian-Enlightenment faith. While America is leading in education, it is also leading in crime, divorce, and delinquency. The concept of deliberate tradition has five key components- Wen, Jen, Chun Tzu, Li, Te, and Wen. The first is Wen, which is the concept of Confucianism that contrasts the art of peace to the art of war. This is done through music art, poetry, and culture. This relates to Confucianism because he valued the arts and the power art had to transform human nature into virtues. The second is Jen, which was the virtues of virtues in Confucius's perspective on life, it is the ideal relationship between human beings. Jen is the simultaneously respecting oneself while also looking out for humanity. In Jen there is a huge respect for the dignity of the person, good faith, and charity. In the public life, Jen promotes diligence. In private life, it is expressed in empathy, unselfishness, and courtesy of courtesy. This encourages one to not do things to others that you would not want done to you. On a more positive side, it knows no boundaries. Therefore, everyone is and should be treated like brothers and sisters. The third is Chun-tzu, the ideal term in human relations, other known as superior person and humanity-at-its-best. The Chun tzu, having a poised and adequate approach, is an ideal hostess. The hostess is able to care for their guest because they are relaxed, confident, and competent. Confucius believed the only person who can establish such a great foundation of society is completely real like a chun tz. The world can stride towards peace when those who make up society are chun tzus. The fourth is Li which means property. Confucius believed people needed models to determine how things should be and he wanted to direct people’s attention to the best models to duplicate and memorize. Confucius was concerned with the teachings of rectification of names, the doctrine of the mean, the five Confucius relationships, the family, and age. The fifth and final is Te, which is the virtue that is shown through the power of example. This is a more effective tool of leadership than laws and regulations. This is due to the longer term and nurture to the moral conscience. In this people are more devoted to the common good and respect others. While all of these components are important, I think the most striking and relatable term is Jen. The most striking thing about the concept of Jen, is balancing the respect for yourself with good of humanity. Most people think it is one or the other, however Confucius highlights practicing these simultaneously. Jen is most relatable to me because I have learned about these values through my social work courses. Dignity and worth of the person, good faith, charity, and empathy are some of the core values and implications of the social work field. This term is an important part of Confucianism because it encourages people to treat one another morally and respectfully. Because of that, I agree that Jen is an admirable addition to the ‘deliberate tradition’. Overall, I think Confucianism was very interesting to learn about and would encourage others to educate themselves. If people followed Confucianism, I believe individuals and our society would be better off. A particular quote that stood out for me was, “such largeness of heart knows no national boundaries for those who are jen-endowed know that within the four seas all men are brothers and sisters”. This really resonated with me because our society has told us to look out for “our own kind” first, however, there are no boundaries. We are all brothers and sisters in this world. We are all the same and deserve to treat one another that way. While this does not relate to my own life, I feel this is how the world ought to be. By doing this we may recognize and establish a deliberate tradition that will morally improve our world. What are your thoughts do you agree or disagree?

Answer 1

I accept with the post that if people cannot see the humanness in other people and don’t treat others equally, the society should be still considered as primitive and barbaric. Western thoughts and philosophy has taught people to be selfish, live with their own races, ethnicities and keep others away thus sowing the seeds of discrimination. Eastern philosophies such as the Jen philosophy tries to break away from this dominating mind-set and calls people to live as real human being by acknowledging and accepting others as brothers and sisters. This universal humanness is what makes the Eastern traditions and philosophy more universal than the Western traditions.

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