Comparing Kongzi And Mengzi Essay
Mengzi’s mentor was actually Kongzi; therefore there are similarities between these two philosophers. Both Kongzi and Mengzi both discuss what it means to be a good person as well as the essentials of human happiness. Although both Kongzi and Mengzi share similar ideas, their interpretations of goodness and human happiness differ. Kongzi’s interpretation of goodness is determined by a person's wisdom. On the other hand, Mengzi discusses goodness based off of a person's actions. According to Kongzi, human happiness is related to his idea of goodness. Mengzi’s idea of human happiness is related to his idea of benevolence. Benevolence is acting respectful and professional. Both philosophers have similar ideas, but they interpret these ideas very differently due to their experiences and time periods in which
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they lived in.
Kongzi’s interpretation of happiness is having goodness. On page ten, Kongzi discusses his interpretation of happiness and relates it back to having goodness: “Without Goodness, one cannot remain constant in adversity and cannot enjoy enduring happiness” (Confucius, 10-4.1). From Kongzi’s remark, we can interpret that having goodness leads us to happiness. Without goodness, we would have negativity in our lives. As a result of negativity, people’s lives would be filled will sadness due to a pessimistic environment they are accustomed to. On the other hand, Mengzi’s idea of happiness is related to his idea of benevolence. For example, on page 32, Mengzi discusses the role of a human being by displaying their personal characteristics related to happiness: Human roles:between father and children there is affection; between ruler and ministers there is righteousness; between husband and wife there is distinction; between elder and younger there is precedence, and between friends and family there is Faithfulness (Norden, 32).
From Mengzi’s remark on human roles, we can come to an interpretation that affection, righteousness, and, faithfulness lead to happiness. If we show affection to people we love, we make them feel happy about themselves by giving them self worth. Righteousness, can allow us to make good decisions and bad ones. If we chose to do the right thing, we will not run into consequences/problems, thus entering more happiness into our lives. Being faithful can also lead to happiness. If someone is faithful to someone, the outcome is trusting each other and happiness due to loyalty. These ideas then tie back into the idea of benevolence. The act of being respectful.
Kongzi's interpretation of of goodness is determined by a person's wisdom.
On page 10, Kongzi displays goodness as a form of wisdom:: “To live in the neighborhood of the Good is fine. If one does not choose to dwell among those who are Good, how will one obtain wisdom” (Confucius, 10, 4.1)? HIs remark on goodness translates to “”With regard to neighborhoods, it is that presence of those who are Good that makes them desirable. How could someone who does not chose to dwell in Goodness be considered wise” (Footnote 36, 10)? On the other hand, Mengzi discusses goodness based off of a person's actions. According to Kongzi, human happiness is related to his idea of goodness. On page 70, Mengzi brings up an important attribute of being a good person by talking about benevolence and righteousness and relating to a person’s internal and external self: “benevolence is internal; it is not external. Righteousness is external; it is not internal” (Norden, 70). From Mengzi’s remark, we learn that benevolence is an internal attribute. It is a thought or idea we feel inside. On the other hand, righteousness is external and is judge based off the daily actions taken
everyday.
they lived in.
Kongzi’s interpretation of happiness is having goodness. On page ten, Kongzi discusses his interpretation of happiness and relates it back to having goodness: “Without Goodness, one cannot remain constant in adversity and cannot enjoy enduring happiness” (Confucius, 10-4.1). From Kongzi’s remark, we can interpret that having goodness leads us to happiness. Without goodness, we would have negativity in our lives. As a result of negativity, people’s lives would be filled will sadness due to a pessimistic environment they are accustomed to. On the other hand, Mengzi’s idea of happiness is related to his idea of benevolence. For example, on page 32, Mengzi discusses the role of a human being by displaying their personal characteristics related to happiness: Human roles:between father and children there is affection; between ruler and ministers there is righteousness; between husband and wife there is distinction; between elder and younger there is precedence, and between friends and family there is Faithfulness (Norden, 32).
From Mengzi’s remark on human roles, we can come to an interpretation that affection, righteousness, and, faithfulness lead to happiness. If we show affection to people we love, we make them feel happy about themselves by giving them self worth. Righteousness, can allow us to make good decisions and bad ones. If we chose to do the right thing, we will not run into consequences/problems, thus entering more happiness into our lives. Being faithful can also lead to happiness. If someone is faithful to someone, the outcome is trusting each other and happiness due to loyalty. These ideas then tie back into the idea of benevolence. The act of being respectful.
Kongzi's interpretation of of goodness is determined by a person's wisdom.
On page 10, Kongzi displays goodness as a form of wisdom:: “To live in the neighborhood of the Good is fine. If one does not choose to dwell among those who are Good, how will one obtain wisdom” (Confucius, 10, 4.1)? HIs remark on goodness translates to “”With regard to neighborhoods, it is that presence of those who are Good that makes them desirable. How could someone who does not chose to dwell in Goodness be considered wise” (Footnote 36, 10)? On the other hand, Mengzi discusses goodness based off of a person's actions. According to Kongzi, human happiness is related to his idea of goodness. On page 70, Mengzi brings up an important attribute of being a good person by talking about benevolence and righteousness and relating to a person’s internal and external self: “benevolence is internal; it is not external. Righteousness is external; it is not internal” (Norden, 70). From Mengzi’s remark, we learn that benevolence is an internal attribute. It is a thought or idea we feel inside. On the other hand, righteousness is external and is judge based off the daily actions taken
everyday.