Monday, November 9, 2015

PDP 5 - Analects

 Author Bio: Confucius was a Chinese teacher and philosopher, who lived from 551 – 479 BC. He was most likely in the knightly social class, which was right below the aristocrats. When Confucius died, he was given the title of Divine Sage, which meant that his teachings and statements were infallible.

Date/Context: The Analects were written and compiled at around 475 BC, meaning that they were created after Confucius' death. The Analects are a compilation of Confucius' teachings, which range from social philosophies to political philosophies.

Summary: This excerpt contains sections from books II and IV of the Analects. Book II is focused around the government. Confucius, referred to as “Master,” states that the government should rule the people through moral force, allowing them to keep their own free will. Also in book II, Confucius talks about the relationships between parents and children, and how the children should always respect and listen to their patents. In book IV, he talks about the qualities and characteristics of a gentleman, stating that a true gentlemen would never quit the way of 'Goodness,' and would also be “slow in word but prompt in deed.”

Key Quotation: “The Master said, He who sets to work upon a different strand destroys the whole fabric.”

1 comment:

  1. Pretty spot on Andrew, however you left out a few things that I think you should have included, and you mixed a few things up. In Book II Confucius mainly focuses on the relationship between parents and their children, and children with their parents. He then talks about being a true gentlemen and how a government official should rule over his people. In Book IV Confucius mainly focuses on the goodwill and good nature a man should posses and attempt to attain. You mentioned all of those however you mixed up which book they came from. Also, I would have mentioned how Confucius' teachings are all made in the form of sayings rather than long lectures. And many of these sayings could be used as a key quotations. However I think you successfully summarized and put the Analects into context. Nice Job.

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