119 10-9-24-mp3

Introduction

  • Speaker: Jocelyn

  • Announcement about a student opportunity at a conference in Rhode Island with Brown University.

  • Organization: Class Action, nonprofit focused on ending legacy admissions.

Legacy Admissions

  • California Assembly Bill 1780 aims to prevent private universities, such as USC, Stanford, and Pepperdine, from maintaining legacy admissions.

  • Topic of the conference will include:

    • Equity in higher education.

    • Career funneling and affirmative action.

Conference Details

  • Date: November 8-10 (no classes on Veterans Day).

  • All expenses covered except transportation.

  • QR code available on a flyer for more information.

Career Funneling

  • Definition: A process where universities partner with businesses to funnel students into job opportunities.

  • Example: USC's business school provides selected students with advantages in interviews due to such partnerships.

Classroom Updates

  • No new slide deck; continuation of previous material.

  • Positive feedback from students regarding questions about Confucius.

    • Students encouraged to engage and feel comfortable participating in discussions.

Confucian Learning

  • Confucius’ teachings involve experiential learning rather than straightforward theoretical exposition.

  • Students are advised that understanding the text will improve with repeated readings.

    • Emphasis on active practice of learning through action and moral principles.

Taking Notes on Confucius

  • Suggestions for note-taking:

    • Identify repeating key themes and moral principles.

    • Focus on questions of morality and virtue presented in the readings.

    • Understanding that Confucius emphasizes action as fundamental to learning and morality.

Key Moral Principles

  • Ancient wisdom of Confucius is centered on specific virtues:

    • Ren (仁): Benevolence or humaneness; reflective of relationships and the principle of reciprocity.

    • Importance of understanding one's humanity in context of societal roles.

Practical Applications of Ren

  • Apply the concept of benevolence in everyday interactions:

    • Acts of kindness influence societal dynamics positively.

    • Encouragement to empathize and understand emotional states of others.

Morality and Politics

  • Confucius believes morality is integral to political governance.

  • Virtue in leaders inspires virtuous behavior in subjects, creating a well-ordered society.

Moral Suasion vs. Persuasion

  • Moral Suasion: Influencing by example rather than through argument.

  • A key difference from conventional persuasion, which uses logical arguments to convince.

  • Importance of embodying moral principles over simply articulating them.

Influence of Good Leadership

  • Good leaders engage in virtuous acts, which have a ripple effect on society.

  • Illustrates that moral character can shape the behaviors of others in governance.

The Role of Relationships

  • Analysis of fundamental relationships in Confucius’s thought:

    • Ruler-subject, parent-child, husband-wife.

  • Acknowledges that every relationship has responsibilities that uphold societal balance.

Cultivation and Self-Improvement

  • The concept of self-cultivation means consciously working on virtuous conduct.

  • Encourages continual self-reflection and improvement based on adopting virtuous principles.

Cultivation of Ritual and Propriety

  • Li (礼): The rules of propriety or rituals that govern behavior.

  • Importance of adhering to cultural norms promotes stability and respect in society.

Rectification of Names

  • Concept emphasizes aligning actions with social roles and titles.

  • Continuous assessment of one’s behavior ensures that societal roles are honored.

Conclusion

  • Confucius promotes a lifestyle of virtuous living through relational and moral responsibilities.

  • Reinforces the connection between personal virtue and broader social harmony.