User:H.G.Grotenhuis

Hi, my name's Hazel (she/her) and I'm working on a collaborative project for my humanities class.

Definition of Humaneness:
The word for humaneness in Chinese is, Rén, which translates as "man". The term humaneness is used in the analects to encapsulate an ideal or virtue that humans should strive for in their interactions with others. Humaneness is described as being a "heaven-sent" way of being that encompasses all virtues such as loyalty, filial piety, and faith. Due to it's all-encompassing and vague nature, even Confucius himself has a hard time giving clear answers as to how to achieve humaneness to his pupils. [Insert either analect 5.8, 5.19, or 9.1 which talks about the vagueness of humaneness].

Analects of interest:

 * 1.2 "...Filial piety and fraternal duty- surely they are the roots of humaneness."
 * 1.3 " The Master said: 'Clever words and a plausible appearance have seldom turned out to be humane.'"
 * 4.1 " The Master said: 'It is humaneness which is the attraction of a neighborhood. If from choice one does not dwell in humaneness, how does one obtain wisdom?'"
 * 5.8, 5.19, and 9.1. These analects talk about how Confucius wouldn't give his students clear answers as to what humaneness entails and how someone goes about obtaining humaneness. (Maybe bring this up when talking about unexplained aspects of humaneness)
 * 6.22-23 and 30. I think these analects give a vague idea of what Confucius considered to be humaneness.
 * 7.30 "The Master said: 'Is humaneness really so far away? If we ourselves wanted humaneness, the humaneness would arrive.'" This analect confused me because if obtaining humaneness is as easy as wanting to be humane, then why isn't everyone humane and why does Confucius make a big deal out of becoming humane and not give his students a clear answer as to how to become humane.
 * 1.6 and 8.2 ties into the idea of filial piety and putting family first that is mentioned in 1.2
 * 12.1-3. Confucius giving his students somewhat vague answers to what is humaneness and how does one achieve humaneness