Socrates And Confucius As Teachers - 3484 Words

Socrates and Confucius as Educators Neither Confucius nor Socrates were regarded widely in their lifetimes as highly valuable and distinguished men. Their fates were colored with tragic hues, but their ethics have survived them and become immortalized as treasures of world culture. Socrates had a formative influence on Western philosophy, and he emphasized logical method, the meaning of human experience, and the quest for eudaimonia through moral excellence. His famous paradox, that no one does wrong both wittingly and willingly, has challenged his philosophical heirs for centuries. Confucius founded Confucianism, or Ruija, which has influenced the politics, culture, and national identity of China throughout the past two millennia. His pursuit of the ideal society and his emphasis on human relations and on moral standards, has encouraged and summoned people with lofty ideals fo devote themselves to their mother nation for generations. Together, Socrates and Confucius influenced the societies and cities of the East and West so deeply and widely that they have been revered as saints and sages by later generations. However, in addition to these roles and accomplishments, both are remembered as great and famous teachers. As such, to most fully understand the meaning of the lives of Confucius and Socrates, they must be thought of as educators and understood within the context of education. Socrates was born and lived in fourth century B.C.E. Athens. During his lifetime he wasShow MoreRelatedThe Political Theories Of The Notorious Philosophers- Confucius959 Words   |  4 PagesThe political theories of the notorious philosophers— Confucius, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Marx, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau— have significantly impacted the American Political System of today through their timeless appeal. If these philosophers were alive today, what would their perception be of the American Political System to date? Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, in 551 BCE - 479 BCE created Confucianism, centered upon restoring â€Å"peace and order.† According to Simon WorrallRead MorePlato and Confucius4610 Words   |  19 Pagesinfluence of Jesus and Socrates’ (3). On the surface, there are many similarities between Confucius and Plato. Both taught through means of dialogue, and both expressed reticence to provide direct definitions. Both advocated contemplation and education as the means for moral attainment, and both sought to balance contemplation with service. Both sought to apply their moral theory to public office (though both failed). And while Plato espoused the ‘heavenly’ forms, Confucius espoused the ‘Decree ofRead MorePros And Cons Of Ethical Egoism1299 Words   |  6 Pagescruel the world would be if Ethical Egoism were to be adopted. Confucianism and the Analects In comparison, Confucius had a much less radical view in The Analects, one that aligns better with our common sense. Confucianism revolves around â€Å"ren† and â€Å"li†, and puts an emphasis on filiality and humility. Filiality is the capacity for gratitude, repayment and etiquette toward one’s parents. Confucius said: â€Å"A young man should be filial within his home and respectful of elders when outside, should be carefulRead MoreConfucius, Aristotle, Aquinas, And Erasmus1713 Words   |  7 PagesConfucius, Plato, Aristotle, Quintilian, Aquinas, and Erasmus As a Christian educator, it is important to base educational practices on Biblical authority. Christian education should teach students to learn to act like God and to do His work (Graham, 2003). â€Å"True education is to develop knowledge of God and His created reality and to use that knowledge in exercising a creative-redemptive dominion over the world . . . â€Å" (Graham, 2003, p. 57). Being a Christian educator, does not mean that organizationalRead More Confucian Philosophy and Corporate Responsibility1630 Words   |  7 Pagestraditions are heavily concerned with responsibility and societal harmony while others are far more preoccupied with free choice and individual rights. Looking to Confucianism, the philosophy of Confucius (or King fu-tzu), one can see a philosophy that places a great deal of emphasis on human responsibility. Confucius is, in fact, the most influential thinker in human history if influence were to be measured by the number of people who have lived in accordance with a philosopher’s vision. (Ames, 28) TurningRead MoreAn Ideal Hero: Greek vs. Roman Essay1527 Words   |  7 Pagesperiods Greek Classical: a. Moral: Socrates - Dialectic Method= critical approach. Question answer search for â€Å"Truth† - â€Å"Knowledge is virtue† â€Å"to know the good is to do the good.† - â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living† - â€Å"Produced skeptics (only believe what is absolutely certain) agnostics (don’t believe what is not known for certain). b. Social: Plato - Student of Socrates; Founded Academy in Athens, 387 B.C. Read MoreChristianity, Buddhism, And Confucianism872 Words   |  4 PagesLaozi, and Socrates. From 600 B.C.E. to 600 B.C. religions began to impact the traditions and attitudes in Europe and Asia resulting in multiple different, but yet similar approaches to the same goal of living morally and truthfully. The religious approaches of these early thinkers all points to a same goal, they want to live in truth. This is evident in their thoughts, that constant meditation and philosophy brought them to believe. The writings of Laozi on virtue, Plato on Socrates, and the BuddhaRead MoreConfucius, the Historical Philosopher Essay1913 Words   |  8 Pagesphilosophers throughout time are people like Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle who shaped the way Greeks thought the way they did in history. They were the foundation of not only their thoughts, but also their culture and way of life was constructed. A great philosopher in human history is Confucius. Confucius is known not only being a famous philosopher, but also a man who started his own philosophical religion. Although history remembers Confucius as a great and historical philosopher, he has inspiredRead MoreHsun Tzu and Mencius: Conflicting Perspectives of Society1630 Words   |  7 Pagessense. Hsun Tzu, in opposition, believed that al l human beings are born into a state of primitive evil. While both claiming to interpret the philosophy of their teacher, Confucius, with certain contrasting ideas, it is Hsun Tzus ideas that seemed more logical and realistic to the people of China. Hsun Tzu was a devoted follower of Confucius, despite his departure from a more typical Confucian way of thinking. He believed in dedicated and effective political officials who based their governanceRead MoreMy Personal Educational Philosophy Essay866 Words   |  4 Pagesnot just unique to military history, but to all of history. The Great Minds: Homer, Aristotle, Socrates, Confucius, Sun Tzu, Thoreau; they all have lessons, important ones about how what we do can drastically affect, even shape, the future. This is the nature of education as I have grown to see it, we can learn almost anything from the methods put forward by the great thinkers of the past. As a teacher of history, I am a curator, guiding a group of students through a museum, trying frantically to