COLT 382 Midterm #1

1. In Confucian terms, what is the difference between “thinking” and “learning”?

1. Thinking is isolation isn’t good; studying in isolation isn’t good

2. Learning for the sake of learning is a waste of time (i.e. studying for an A and then forgetting everything after the test)

3. Thinking for the sake of thinking is a waste of time → don’t reinvent the wheel → dangerous thinking → answering a question from the wrong end

4. You need to combine the two and apply it to everyday situations and come up with solutions

1. Explain the Confucian preoccupation with self-cultivation. How is the self-cultivation of an ordinary person similar to or different from the self-cultivation of a king?

1. Leaders have more at stake for self-reflection because they have more influence than an average person

2. The impact of a leader is like “wind blowing on tall grass”

3. The process for self-reflection is the same for everybody

4. Self-cultivation was an important aspect for everyone because social and political order starts with the individual

1. In the Confucian view, how are family hierarchies related to political hierarchies?

1. Abide by filial piety and ritual propriety in a hierarchy, as it is a two way street

2. Leaders must respect dead elders and show deference by going from the top figure to now a lowly figure (reminder to be compassionate and respectful to their people)

3. In a hierarchy, everyone benefits through reciprocity

4. A man who respects his parents/elders at home will not foment rebellion and be a law-abiding individual in society

1. How does the Shijing (Book of Poetry/Book of Odes) function in Confucian teaching? What would be a couple of examples of a Confucian interpretation of a Shijing excerpt?

1. The Poems were a group of classic texts from the Western Zhou dynasty (and earlier) that Kongzi regarded as authoritative texts 

2. In this example, Kongzi is encouraging the reader to engage in self criticism → self cultivation requires patience, friction and skill

   1. Similar to how friction is applied to a raw material by a skilled craftsman (metaphor for self-cultivation)

   2. Friction represents how self cultivation doesn’t always feel good as a process

3. Ensure the raw materials you “paint on” (i.e. your foundation) is already in good shape before you look to work on it → metaphor of a woman and makeup

   1. Kongzi assumed that everyone has inherent goodness

   2. Virtue is an ideal you work towards and it gets a little bit easier everyday, but you won’t obtain it

4. Kongzi is referencing war horses not swerving off the path. Back then, roads used to have grooves which would make it easier to follow

   1. He is making an analogy to these horses, and saying to not swerve off the path of virtue and to not move off of the “straight path”

   2. The Poems will not pull you into morally wrong areas

1. What are the characteristics of a xiaoren (“petty person”)?

• The small man cares about possessions (land), personal favors, and benefits. He cares about what he gets rather than what is right.

• The small man cares about his own self-interest and easy to obtain profits and advantages. He seeks special treatment, choosing what is easy over what is virtuous.

1. Why does Confucius seem to become angry when he witnesses a ritual conducted inappropriately?

1. The Ji Family ruler is suggesting that he is on the same level as the emperor which is a disruption of hierarchy

   1. 8 rows of dancers was solely used by the emperor

2. Confucius sees this as a failure of civilization if people are mocking the rulers and disrespecting the emperor/ruler

3. Confucius is boycotting the ritual and is very angry/offended to see what is happening

4. Confucius is once again offended by the Ji Family ruler because he has no business going on a royal pilgrimage because he is not the emperor

   1. The Ji Family ruler is cosplaying as an emperor and violating hierarchy by pretending to do so

1. How does Confucius expect a political leader to act towards “the people”?

1. Confucius believed that legalism wasn’t a great system of governance because it assumed the worst in people

2. People should abide by the laws not because they are afraid of punishment, but because it is the right and virtuous thing to do

3. Legalism’s harsh punishments encourage people to find loopholes and ways to circumvent the laws

1. Explain the Confucian concept of wholesome competition among junzi, with reference to archery.

1. Competition can put a dent into friendship 

2. Exercise sportsmanship to be a junzi (it is not all about winning)

3. Archery is just a fun activity that should be a soft ritual and shouldn’t be taken too seriously since you are not soldiers

4. It doesn’t matter if you miss the target since we aren’t soldiers

5. This is not about military drilling – the competition is just about aiming to hit the target as best you can

1. What did Confucius consider to be the “golden age” of Chinese history?

1. Confucius believed that the Western Zhou dynasty was the highest point of humanity and the golden age of China

1. What did Confucius say about filial piety in reference to taking care of your parents?

1. Your attitude when taking care of your parents should be positive

2. Respect comes first, and you must still obey your parents

3. Don’t travel aimlessly and go to where your going directly

4. Don’t let your parents worry about where you are

5. Mourning period is about 3 years or 14/15 months in reality

6. Why 3? From 0-3 years old, you are completely dependent on your parents and without their constant care you wouldn’t survive (repaying the debt)

7. Respect your parents at any age, and be mindful that they are getting older

1. Why is Confucius called Confucius and not Kongzi?

1. In the 16th/17th century, Jesuit and Christian missionaries set out to convert others as part of European colonialism

2. Euro-Christians believed themselves to be the superior civilizations, followed by the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers, and then all others (“barbarians”)

3. Initially believing that the Chinese were “barbarians,” they were humbled by Chinese texts over time and came to learn more about Confucianism

4. To make Kongzi’s name easier to say and write for Western scholars, they latinized his name to be Confucius

5. Make Chinese language more palatable

1. What does Confucius mean when he says, “a gentleman is not a pot”?

1. Not an empty or single purpose vessel

2. Not being someone else’s tool or at someone else’s disposal

3. Gentleman is already “full” of Confucian principles – don’t need to be filled

4. Being able to solve many different problems

1. What is the difference between “learning” and “implementing” according to Confucius?

1. Confucius believes learning (xue) and practicing (xi) are two halves of one process

2. Learning consists of acquiring knowledge while implementing is practicing it until it becomes part of one’s character

3. Learning without practice is useless, and the true “joy” comes from uniting the two → this is the defining characteristics of a junzi

1. What does Confucius say about speaking?

1. Just because someone is charismatic or appears eloquent this doesn’t mean they are a good or virtuous person

2. Confucius is criticizing people that are overly talkative 

3. A junzi should speak little and instead observe to see how others act