User:Jrob3020

Hi, my name is Jason Robinson (he,him,his). I am a Mechatronics engineering major at UNCA.

Definition
According to Confucius the gentleman seems to be a man of virtue. Specifically one who practices the virtues important to Confucius such as filial piety, loyalty, and seeking of knowledge. This tie to filial piety can be seen in the last part of Book 1:2, "The gentleman concerns himself with the root; and if the root is firmly planted, the Way grows. Filial piety and fraternal duty-surely they are the roots of humaneness.'" Confucius' gentleman is an ideal person as well as an ideal leader and scholar. The term gentleman comes from the Chinese word junzi which translates directly as "ruler's son." This means that the term has a two definitions, its translation and the definition as it is used in the text. the term gentleman while not used in modern times quite as much perhaps still has some relevancy. The word is used in a slightly different context now. In Confucius' time the word encompasses many different traits but today we rarely combine those traits under one word so we instead use the individual words such as leader and scholar.

Confucius' Worldview
Confucius' worldview is heavily based on family ties and tradition. This can be seen throughout "The Analects" where much of what Confucius deems right or wrong is based on elder family (living or dead) and traditions that have been passed down through generations. This worldview is quite different from the stoic worldview seen in the "Handbook of Epictetus". In the "Handbook of Epictetus" we see a very different view towards family. Whereas Confucius seeks to remember and respect family, the stoic worldview seems to center around forgetting and not letting the death of others affect you. This indifference to the death of family can be seen in the following quote, "Never say about anything, 'I have lost it,' but instead, 'I have given it back it back.' Did your child die? It was given back. Did your wife die? She was given back. 'My land was taken.' So this too was given back. 'But the person who took it was bad!' How does the way the giver asked for it back concern you? As long as he gives it, take care of it as something that is not your own, just as travelers treat an inn." (Handbook of Epictetus 11). Instead of trying to show remembrance or respect to the dead the utmost priority in this quote seems to be making sure you are not troubled by the death. Confucius' world view has some overlap with the ancient Egyptian teachings in the "Instruction of Amenemope". This overlap can be seen clearly when talking about virtue as both cultures like many other cultures past and present seek to be as virtuous as possible in their beliefs and actions. This quote from the "Instruction of Amenemope" shows the significance placed on virtue by being kind to others, "Set your goodness before people, then you are greeted by all," (Instruction of Amenemope, pg. 153). In the quote you can see the importance placed on showing and upholding your own virtue by being kind to others.

"Teaching of Amenemope"-
There are similarities between Amenemope's "ideal man" and Confucius' "gentleman". Amenemope and Confucius seem to place a similar emphasis on someone should act. One area in the "Teaching of Amenemope" where this similarity can be seen is on page 146 where Amenemope says this about the ideal man, "He is self-controlled, quiet, and kind toward people". This way of living matches up with Confucius' instructions for the "Gentleman".

Epictetus' "Handbook"-
One Area in which Confucius and Epictetus had similar beliefs was in the realm of principle. This is seen is Epictetus' "Handbook" #38, "Just as in walking about you pay attention so as not to step on a nail or twist your foot, pay attention in the same way so as not to harm your ruling principle". In this section of "Handbook" Epictetus says that a man should stick by his morals, principles, and beliefs and should not waver. Confucius says similar thing in his "Analects" particularly in this quote from the Master in book 14 section 5, "'Such a man is indeed a gentleman! Such a man does indeed honor virtue!'".

Plato's "Euthyphro"-
In the "Euthyphro we see a stark contrast from Confucius' viewpoint when talking about the filial piety of the "gentleman". In the text Euthyphro is prosecuting his own father for murder. This is a far different take than what Confucius would have as he viewed filial piety to be of the upmost importance to the "gentleman".

Plato's "Apology"-
In the "Apology" Socrates refers to the judges many times as "gentleman". The use of this word seems to be mainly used to show respect but also shows that the judges are in a position of power. The judges are also mentioned as being pious which has some similarity to Confucius' large focus on the filial piety of the "gentleman".

Relevant passages
Book 1: 1,2,8,14

Book 2: 12,13,14

Book 3: 7,24

Book 4: 5,10,11,16,24

Book 5: 3,16

Book 6: 4,13,18,26,27

Book 7: 26,31,33,37

Book 8: 2,4,6

Book 9: 6,14

Book 10: 5

Book 11: 1,19,24

Book 12: 4,5,8,16,19,24

Book 13: 3,23,25,26

Book 14: 5,6,23,26,27,28,42

Book 15: 2,7,18,19,20,21,22,23,32,34,37

Book 16: 1,6,7,8,10,13

Book 17: 3,6,19,21,22

Book 18: 7,10

Book19: 3,4,7,9,10,12,20,21,25

Book 20: 2,3

Questions to consider/Brainstorming
Any roots in the Chinese as to why the term gentleman is used? (check to see meaning of original untranslated word)

Did Confucius consider himself a gentleman?

In Confucius' point of view is it possible to become a gentleman completely or is it something impossible but still worth striving for?