Confucianism In America Research Paper

If Confucianism became an influence into my daily life, I believe America would be a better place. The highest Confucian principle, Ren (jen) which ultimately means: to think of the other, supports my thought. If this virtue was expressed in everyday activity, more people in America would have sympathy, and consideration for each other. Yes, some people do have these acts of “humaneness,” but if Confucian was apart of American daily lives there wouldn’t be so much hatred and disgust everywhere. It can be hard for people in America, and all over the world, to express Ren because some people do not know how to be kind or act friendly in certain predicaments. Saying this, if an American city was transformed by Confucianism there would be so much
more peace and love. Even though, in schools nowadays teachers teach the children how to be kind to others, and how to use their manners, some do not follow. If the whole city was transformed by Confucianism, nobody would know the wrong doing of being inconsiderate. Saying this, if someone saw a homeless person on the street they wouldn’t just drive by, they would offer to buy them some lunch without having to hesitate, which is an act of Ren. Also, if America became influenced by Confucianism, love of education would grow and maybe there wouldn’t be so much chaos and indiscipline. Businesses would change drastically because people would know the distinction on “doing what is appropriate” and “doing what is proper to the situation.” Such as, learning to not chew gum during an interview.
If people in America expressed the virtue Li, then each would know the appropriate words to say, proper ways to dress, and correct things to do in any situation. Saying this, life on a big-city street or in a subway would be different because perhaps then people wouldn’t be pushing into one another. Instead, they would expose good manners and gently move out of the way or say excuse me, which is very uncommon in the streets of New York City. Family life would be different in America because people would express the virtue Xiao (Hsiao). Nowadays in America, it is very rare for people to know who their ancestors are, nonetheless to remembrance them. If American family’s practiced valuing the entire extended family, love and respect would greatly spectacle. Indeed, more people would care for their family, and be closer in relationships. As a result, we wouldn’t hear stories in the news about a person killing their family members. In the end, I believe that if Confucianism became an influence in America we would be a stronger, better place to live
in. Perhaps if people were to follow Confucianism and believe in it they would be kinder, and respect others.