Since the beginning of time, people have tried to characterize the relationship between an individual and society. The contributions of Aristotle and Confucius, two of the most well known philosophers, help to shape moral reasoning even today.
Aristotle
Aristotle was born in Macedonia, and he didn’t write any of his theories down. Instead, his legacy was carried out by his followers, such as Plato. Aristotle described virtue as the state between excess and deficiency, which he called the “golden mean.”
A statue of the Greek philosopher Aristotle
One of his most famous quotes is that “the virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by wisdom.” He also said that “it is better to rise from life as from a banquet—neither thirsty or drunken.”
Aristotle defined justice as “giving people what they deserve.” He had two main principles of justice: purpose and honor. He believed that in order to define justice, it is first necessary to reason about the purpose of the object that is being distributed. Then, individuals need to think about how to honor and reward those that fulfill their purpose the best.
Confucius
Another well-known and ancient philosopher was Confucius. Similar to Aristotle, he wrote nothing down, and his teachings were written by his students. He is famous for his analects, which have six major themes.
A statue of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher.
The first is that education is central to moral development, and it is a lifelong process. The second is “li”, which is a combination of ritual and propriety. Confucius recognized the purpose of manners in ensuring social harmony and smoothness in interactions. The third is filial piety, or a sense of hierarchy. He had a very strict societal order: the ruler is higher than the people, the husband is higher than the wife, the parents are higher than the children, and the older sibling is higher than the younger.
The fourth theme is an emphasis on merit, as he believed that it’s vital to try to achieve as much as you can. The fifth is about humility and reciprocity, which is characterized in modern society as the “golden rule”: do unto others what you would want done unto you. Lastly, Confucius highlighted the moral necessities of leadership. He believed that the best leaders had patience and led by example. One of his most famous quotes is: “the essence of a gentleman is like wind.”
Just like Aristotle, Confucius believed in “the middle way”, or balance. His central principle was that desire is neither indulgence nor abstinence. Both philosophers made foundational contributions to our moral reasoning today, and it’s important to learn about their teachings to truly understand the world.
Discussion Questions:
Do you think it’s important to learn about philosophy? Why or why not?
Have you heard about Aristotle or Confucius before?
Which part of their teachings is the most interesting to you?
Vocabulary:
Philosophers: thinkers or theorists
Moral: concerning what is right and wrong
Excess: too much
Deficiency: too little
Banquet: a formal meal
Purpose: the role of something
Honor: respect or esteem
Analects: a collection of short philosophical thoughts
Harmony: lack of conflict
Filial piety: loyalty to your family
Hierarchy: organization based on status
Societal: relating to community
Emphasis: special importance
Humility: being humble or modest
Repriciocity: giving back
Essence: the general character
Desire: wanting something deeply
Indulgence: doing too much of something
Abstinence: not doing anything at all
