Preview

Thomas Aquinas And Hu Xi Similarities

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
227 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Thomas Aquinas And Hu Xi Similarities
Thomas Aquinas and Zhu Xi have a great deal of similarities and differences in their writings. By comparing the two it can be said that, they both agree on the fact that a virtuous individual, whether a king or a superior human, should not dwell in selfish desires. Aquinas and Zhu Xi believe in learning as a means for self-improvement. However, they approach learning in different ways. The king and the superior human both need to come to the realization of their purpose in order to be able to better their society. Finally, it can be said that Zhu Xi’s way is more self-centered in comparison to Thomas Aquinas’ method that aims to the betterment of a society. Overall the two scholars have high standards for the virtuous human, only by following

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    There are so many ways people believed the way the world was made and its entirety. For the most part we all know how the world began from the Christian point of view. Everyone has their own specifics for the way they think that the world was made. Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin and Charles Taze Russell all were very devout Christians, who were well recognized when they were alive. They all also came from the same beliefs, all having different life experiences. They got their knowledge by God. The three of them were able to talk to God and write down what they thought He was saying to them. This was in hope to help everyone understand the bible and the world. Giving a better picture so everyone would not be as confused and know that God was real.…

    • 1610 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ian Cabalo October 2012 Period Two AP World History Unit 2: Chapter 8: The Unification of China In Search of Political and Social Order A. Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) and His School 1. Confucius a. Educator and political authority b. Sayings were compiled in the Analects by his disciples 2. Confucian Ideas a. Basically honesty and ethical in character b. Thoroughly practical: how to restore political and social order c. Concentrated on formation of Junzi "superior individuals" d. Edited and assembled the Zhou classics for his disciples to study 3. Key Confucian Values a. Ren: A sense of humanity, kindness, benevolence b. Li:…

    • 1399 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Zhuangzi support a holistic life, disengagement from the artificial socialization, and cultivate potencies and skills, in order to live a simple natural, but thrive life (Patheos). He was crucial of our common classifications and estimation, noting the several different ways of arrangement between different living things, cultures, and education, and the lack of an seperated means of making a relative estimation (Naver). He recommend a way of arrangement that is not devoted to a system, but is liquid and pliable , and that continue a temporary, practical opinion to the applicability of these classification and estimation. China’s mythological king, a hero and supporter of Taoism (BBC).…

    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Assignment 5 Price

    • 1866 Words
    • 6 Pages

    To Confucius, good people lived good lives, which in turn caused good societies to be formed from the deeds of these individuals. He believed that education should focus on shaping individuals into good people; people with “virtue and excellence”. One of his ideas, called ren, is directly translated into “human excellence”, “benevolence” and “love”. According to Confucius ren is not something that is inherent in every individual, however, humans are able obtain ren through cognitive thinking and effort. Confucius believes that every person has certain qualities inside of them that can make them good. For instance he believed that every individual possessed wisdom, kindness, respect and piety.…

    • 1866 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    b. Thoroughly practical: how to restore political and social order c. Concentrated on formation of Junzi "superior individuals" d. Edited and assembled the Zhou classics for his disciples to study 3. Key Confucian Values…

    • 1136 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The collection of dialogues that Confucius had with his students and with statesmen known as ‘Analects’ was highly influential in the philosophy and moral values of Imperial China.[5]In the conversations, Confucius’s thoughts are recorded including his belief in the powers of moral…

    • 2972 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    From the Mencius’s argument on "benevolence”. It can be seen that there is not much difference between basic content and Confucius "benevolence" such as未有仁而遗其亲者也. They are both piety and seems to satisfy the moral norm of Confucianism. But Mencius apply benevolence to politics, "benevolent governance" is put forward, revoke the high achievement of personal moral cultivation. This brought great effect on Chinese political thought.…

    • 916 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    What is excellence? Over the course of human history, the notions of good and evil have yet to receive clear definitions; the same holds true for excellence and virtue. Two historical figures have grappled with these concepts, and manifested two opposing opinions: Jesus Christ and Aristotle. Both have defined virtue in their own terms, and this essay will compare these definitions and ultimately confirm their inherent differences. In the end, if given the chance, Aristotle would not approve of Jesus’ conception of virtue/excellence due to their conflicting views on the intention of action and defining virtue. In order to prove the dissimilarities of these men we will first examine the values of Jesus Christ, then later move on to Aristotle.…

    • 1010 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hsun Tzu

    • 1232 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hsun Tzu's philosophy is built from the idea that human beings are by nature inherently evil, and the good they produce will only come through their conscious activity. Hsun Tzu believes that if man follows his nature and indulges in his natural desires, without transforming himself by conscious activity he is doomed to fall victim to his evil nature. "Any man who follows his nature will inevitably become involved in wrangling and strife, will violate the forms and rules of society, and will end as a criminal." Despite the pessimistic tone of Hsun Tzu's message he does propose conscious activity as a solution to man's evil. This paper will examine Hsun Tzu's perspective in light of both Mencius and Lao Tzu, and the path it proposes for man to raise from his evil nature and become good.…

    • 1232 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    We discussed great philosophy of Confucius, Machiavelli and Rousseau last Thursday. Confucius developed his ideas about the year 500 B.C. He believed that it is the virtue such as diligence and good faith that characterized superior rulership and virtue also enabled the ruler to maintain good order in his state without recourse to physical force. For him, men are nearly alike by nature in a good way and a ruler should be self-disciplined, should govern his people by his own example and should treat them with love and concern rather than punishment. He suggested that leadership is about the maintenance of a justice society. Quite the contrary, the Italian historian and politician Machiavelli held the view that the nature of men is variable, and there is evil, what’s more, he endorsed evil behaviors because he believed that evil can be used for good. As a result, he supported the idea of taking necessary force to complete the unity of Italy even in a brutal, deceiving and unscrupulous way. He claimed that it is safer to be feared than loved. Instead of laying emphasis on justice and legitimacy, he thought the key is power and it is a certain thing that the person who gains the power should dominate exclusively. For him, observing behavior is a good way to take control. The last person we discussed is Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a philosopher of the 18th-century. His political philosophy influenced the French Revolution as well as the overall development of modern political, sociological, and educational thought. Rousseau believed that man was good when he is in the state of, but is corrupted by society. For him, every man is born equal and free, and thus he criticized absolute monarchy which deprives of people’s freedom for the goal of a man who dominates exclusively can never be public happiness. General will is the source of power which…

    • 624 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The philosopher exchanges pleasures for pleasures, pains for pains, fears for fears for wisdom, which is the only thing of true value. This pursuit of wisdom will cleanse the philosopher of all the impurities of bodily life and its passions, preparing him for a better afterlife with the gods. Contrary properties from different points of view.…

    • 992 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    mentions is only an authority of the sovereign can order a war to be waged.…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mencius believed that human nature is good. Every person is born instilled with four main virtues; Righteousness, Ritual property, Wisdom and Benevolence. These virtues will only develop fully if it is nurtured and put to effect appropriately. He also claimed that those who are not virtuous have been “corrupted by the environment” . He believes that “Individual effort was needed to cultivate oneself, but one’s natural tendencies were good to begin with.” In this way, Mencius has integrated elements of Taoism into his theory. Basically, people are born well with good intentions, but they must work to maintain their good nature.…

    • 660 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confucius was one of the most influential people on East Asian culture. Born in the sixth century, Confucius committed himself to spreading morality and inspiring people to do good (Ebrey, 42). Confucius linked moral behaviour to traditional roles and hierarchies in both social and political life. One of his main teachings was filial piety, the reverent respect for people in higher standing than you, such as parents and older people. His ideal world was one where hierarchy created harmony and conventions governed actions (Ebery, 42). The highest virtue for Confucius is called Ren, or “perfect goodness, benevolence, humanity, co-humanity, human heartedness, and nobility” (Ebery, 43).…

    • 466 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Just War Theory

    • 1130 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Aquinas, St. Thomas. “Summa Theologica.” Reading The World: Ideas That Matter. 2nd ed. ED Michael Austin. New York: Norton, 2009. 261. Print.…

    • 1130 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays