Blog 3!!

Confucianism and Humaneness:

Although Confucius's ideas were not particularly successful during his time, through his teachings and followers, his ideas and morals are still apparent today. What does it mean to be humane? According to the Confucian analects, everybody wants to be recognized and rich, but to be humane you have to get to that state/position in a humane way. Being humane means collecting yourself before others, and realizing that the greatest thing you can love in life is humaneness. Non-humane means non joyful, and humaneness is loving people, and it is appreciating things and aspects of life beyond your first instinct. "The wise take joy in water, the humane take joy in mountains; the wise are active, the humane are tranquil; the wise enjoy, the humane endure." (Confucian analects) Being humane is something you can be if you really want to, considering a lot of people strive to be humane, (and a lot of people don't.) Being humane includes sometimes sacrificing lives, and a big message projected through being humane is "give and you shall receive." You must be kind and have the ability to influence others, and just overall be willing. I think that acts of humaneness relate to religion, especially Judaism. In Judaism there is Tzedakah is means righteousness and charity, and it is the obligation in the Jewish religion to give to others in order to live a satisfied and spiritual life. Tzedakah is a decision to be benevolent and philanthropic, and give back to others. This aspect of Judaism is an example of being humane because you are giving without receiving, however you are receiving the sense of pride and fulfillment that comes with assisting others. They are also similar because according to these laws if you are not humane you are not happy, and in Judaism if you do not perform Tzedakah than you will not live as good of a life. Social responsibility and Tzedakah are two parts of Judaism that are very closely linked with humaneness. Lastly, I feel that being humane is possible within relationships in a family, but not within the government. I think that a government does make decisions to please their people, although lots of the time they do things to get them done and to be effective and efficient rather than humane. When you have that much authority as the government does, I don't think you worry about loving everyone, or giving without receiving, or sacrificing yourself, or appreciating your surroundings because your life is so privileged already. I think that in an ideal world everyone would be humane, but it is truly impossible. It is possible in a family because parents care so much about their children that they are willing to sacrifice, to do things for them with nothing in return, and be fully humane. Being humane is different than being human...