Eastern_and_Western_Philosophers_Comparison

Eastern &Western Philosophers Comparison Paper Axia College University of Phoenix By Tasha Wood PHI/105 I chose to write about Confucius and Plato. Confucius believed in learning and knowledge, that they must be practical and transform life for the better. He believed that if one wanted to help someone that they must first establish one’s own human character. He believed that once a person had a character that contained nothing contrary to humanity, they could then rely on that in all their actions. He also believed that if a person lived through humanistic thinking and acting they would make the “way” (Tao) great. He had a great belief that I strongly agree with. He believed that humans are not always good but can become better, which he believed would come from learning and helping others. He thought that anyone can acquire wisdom as long as they were determined. He believed that once people worked together that things would flourish and nourish one another without conflict or injury. Confucius put together a principle that explains how reciprocity applies to humans by saying, “Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.” I agree with Confucius because learning and knowledge is important to get somewhere in life. I also agree that if a person wants to help someone else they must have their life straightened out first or else it won’t work out, it will just make things worse for the person you are trying to help. Confucius talked about how a person can make the “way” great by living through humanistic thinking and acting. What he means by the “way” is the path taken by natural events and I agree because if a person thinks before acting things will eventually work out for that person. My favorite quote that Confucius believed to be true is “Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.” This is my favorite because if people treat others hateful they should expect to get treated the same, but if they treat others with respect they will get respect in return. He believed that humans are not always good but can become better, which I strongly agree with because if a person gets taught something eventually they will become better at it. Plato believed that when the mind’s eye rests on objects illuminated by truth and reality, it understands and comprehends them, and functions intelligently; but when it turns to the twilight world of change and decay, it can only form opinions, its vision is confused and its beliefs shifting, and it seem to lack intelligence. He believed that there is an issue of the conversion of the mind from the twilight of error to the truth that climbs up into the real world, which he believes we call true philosophy. Plato quoted “the object of knowledge is what exists and its functions to know about reality.” Plato believes that when the mind’s eye rests on objects illuminated by truth and reality, it understands and comprehends them, and functions intelligently, which I believe to be true a person can use intelligence to see the truth and reality, but when it turns to decay people are only able to come up with opinions of the truth and reality of the object. Plato’s quote about “the object of knowledge is what exists and its function to know about reality, I believe is stating that knowledge exists but people need to know how to use it in order to know about reality, which I believe is true, people will never see reality if they do not use their knowledge of the truth. Confucius and Plato both taught through means of dialogue, and both expressed reticence to provide direct definitions. They both believed that contemplation and education were the means for moral attainment, and they both sought to balance contemplation with service. They both failed to apply their moral theory to public office. Confucius and Plato also had differences such as, cultures and they had different translation, one was Greek and the other was Chinese. I think that I would be more prone to agree with Eastern thinking because everything I read about Confucius and he’s thinking, I agree with. If I was asked, if a person wanted to get somewhere in life, what would be the best way' I say tell them that they need to learn and they need the knowledge to learn. I have always thought that if a person wants to be treated with respect they should treat others with respect. References [Axia College of University of Phoenix (2008). Philosophy: the power of ideas, 7th edition. Retrieved on April 25, 2010 from Axia College, PHI105-Introduction To Philosophy Course Website.] N.A. (1997-2010). Famous Philosophers: On Truth, Reality and Wisdom. Retrieved on April 25, 2010 from http://www.spaceandmotion.com/Famous-Philosophers.htm#Famous.Philosophers