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Confucianism: Flow of Ethics

 

In practicing the way of the classics one should do so with joy. The Analects begin with joy being incorporated into learning: " "Is it not a pleasure, having learned something to try it out at due intervals? Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar? Is it not gentlemanly not to take offence when others fail to appreciate your abilities?" (Analects 1.1) .
             Not only does the aforementioned quote create discourse on the matter of joy and study, but it also conjoins joy and another core Confucian concept: the harmonious relationships with others. Confucius believed that in order for a state to run optimally it must be a state of harmony. "Harmony," meaning that king and state should work with one another in a way that the king should not have to take action rule the people but instead the people, if in a harmonious state, should be able to control themselves under the authority of the king. An example of how harmonious relationships should develop can be seen in Confucius" view on team sport athletes,.
             "The Master said, "There is no contention between gentlemen. The nearest to it is, perhaps, archery. In archery they bow and make way for one another as they go up and on coming down they drink together. Even the way they contend is gentlemanly""(Analects 3.7). .
             Analect 3.7 says two things: first, it shows the gentlemanly conduct of dismissing what may be natural reactions and negative tendencies; secondly, it puts even more focus on the importance that harmonious relationships play in the process of self-refinement (Ivanhoe CMSC 5).
             Heaven and other metaphysical topics are interesting in Confucianism in that they are rarely discussed in the Analects, and when brought up Confucius" responses tend to say something to the effect of, "worry about your time on Earth because that is all we know of." Confucius does speak of heaven in the following passage:.
             "A society based on li (rites) would be peaceful, prosperous, and fulfilling because it followed the grand design laid down by heaven.


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