EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - Confucius

This great Chinese philosopher believed in everything we ignore nowadays: tradition, institution, obedience and order. That’s why he matters.

Produced in collaboration with Mad Adam Films

[Luboman]

The narrator didn't mention that Confucius also heavily emphasized that the ruler also has grave responsibilities toward his subjects. Rulers were just as constricted in their actions as their subjects--they were to be paragons of morality and just behavior. Implicit in this is the notion that if the ruler acts in ways unjust or improper toward his/her subjects, the subjects have grounds then to overthrow the ruler and replace him/her with someone more just and moral. This notion of keeping the ruler accountable ("the Mandate of Heaven" in the olden days) is still deeply embedded in East Asian political philosophy and tradition. It's part of the reason why the Chinese Communist Party is so afraid of opening up its political system, and of any whiff of sedition or rebellious behavior towards the Party.

[alextang]

Actually the video is a bit misleading. For example, filial piety is more about mutual respect and both cooperation. Confucius once said, 父慈子孝, which literally means father kind and sons respect. If the father is not kind enough its not a responsibility for the son to respect. Confucius also listed down how should a father behave. For example, 養不教, 父之過, which means if a father only feed a child but not educate him, its the father's fault. Therefore, Confucius's idea is more about a interpersonal relationship, how the people in society should behave to achieve a Utopia.

[JonSnowIII]

A true leader would never accept being honored by a bow; He would know that his acts were a service, not just to others, but to all. And if someone should bow to him-- he would walk up to them, take their hand and lift them up.

This is a true leader in my opinion--
Someone not expecting the honor of a bow, but the reward itself of walking-up-right fellow beings who lead fulfilling lives.

[nobodyaskedbut]

Everything in life and human existence can be determined by the "Golden Rule". This one thought is the basis of ideal human life.

[Windwhooosshhh]

I feel like there are a lot of similarities between this and Epicurus philosophy.

Great minds think alike =)

[jrloyal]

Hi, he said AT 2:16 "MAKE HUGE SACRIFICES IN THEIR MEMORY", now my question is: SACRIFICES OF WHAT or WHO and WHY if their Dead?

[john]

First said by Confucius then stolen by Henry David Thoreau.

"The relation between superiors and inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend, when the wind blows across it."

[abra]

I think these ideas are circumstantial, in other words, depend on the character of each person in relation to one another and their morals and beliefs, as well as compatibility, even between parents and their children.

[johanngaiusisinwingazuluah]

You can all hold these fortune cookies! - Confucius

[skashu]

It would be great if you could show one frame with all the points in it before signing of, or maybe even writing it in the description. This would help as a reminder, by taking screenshots for example.

[iramkumar]

Confucius always asked how many people died and not how many horses. Good. We have read the Analects.

[brillobean]

Confucius' idea that ceremony is important might sound odd but it is lived by many many westerners.  Take the prevalence of religion, which revolves around ceremony, although its long history is mostly a result of tradition and fear of uncertainty.

[ariel_haymarket]

I really think de Botton misses a point that filial piety can be trumped by the need for survival or to break out of abusive relationships.

[transformer]

The saying that 'You should obey parents' made many trouble in asian countries such as child abuse by parents.

[Mavrik]

Conservatives promoting conservatism without proper respect for morality leads to stagnation and oppression.

[danycashking]

im 20 and after seeing the comment section i ended up agreeing more with the video about our generation XD we are shitty 

[georgesupastro]

I think Confucius got confused so much and nobody helped him.

[FoxyCraftYT]

1.For which ruler did Confucuius work for as a ministry of crime?
Duke Ding
2. Who is suspected to be his teacher? Lao Tzu
3. What are The Analects?
A collection of sayings, written down by his followers
4. What does Confucius golden rule say? "Do not do unto others what you don't want done to yourself"
5.  Which are the 4 rules shown on the video and describe each one of them.
1Ceremony is important
2We should treat our parents with reverence
3We should be obedient to honourable people
4Cultivated knowledge can be more important than creativity
6. List the 5 constant virtues.
Benevolence
Ritual propriety
Righteousness
Wisdom
Integrity

[mountedczarina]

Aristotle could make him look like an idiot.

[bodnotbod]

Oh. I've often meant to read some Confucius. I shan't bother now. He's like a 1950s tory. At least, going on this video.