Confucianism and Christianity: A Tale of Two Traditions In this paper, I will examine the traditions and views of human nature of Confucianism and Christianity, as presented in the provided class readings and from my personal experience. I will also discuss the problems, perks, and any questions I have with each of the traditions. I will assert that both traditions are valid belief systems, but I am slightly more comfortable with the Christian tradition. My conclusion is that Confucianism is a more straightforward tradition in terms of understanding the metaphysical and diagnosis of the human defect, while Christianity has a more realistic and attainable goal when it comes to the prescription for how a person should live and clearer
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Confucius’ diagnosis of the human condition is stated on page 22 of the text, “Generally speaking, the human condition is one of social discord caused by selfishness and ignorance of the past.” Like Christianity, Confucianism is also focused on wanting human beings to become better and kinder people. Confucianism encourages people act beyond one’s personal profit and respect those who came before them. Confucianism is also like Christianity since both traditions believe that the loss of one’s moral ground leads to problems in the basis of society. For example, in the case of Adam and Eve, I think that both Confucius and God would agree that Adam and Eve’s lack of respect for the one who came before them (God) and the loss of the morality (giving into temptation) was the cause of the problems that the two experienced later on. The disrespect highlighted in Confucius’ diagnosis is parallel to the human disobedience in Christianity’s diagnosis. Human disobedience, or disrespect towards God, is the human defect within the Christian theory of human nature. Page 125 emphasizes this idea as it states, “We [humankind] misuse our God-given free will, we choose evil rather than good, we are infected with sin, and therefore disrupt our relationship to God.” While the diagnosis of the human condition is similar in both traditions, I find Confucianism’s presentation of its diagnosis more attractive compared to Christianity since it provides a more in-depth analysis of human beings rather than Christianity’s diagnosis, which was solely focused on the fall of humankind rather than addressing humankind as a
Confucius’ diagnosis of the human condition is stated on page 22 of the text, “Generally speaking, the human condition is one of social discord caused by selfishness and ignorance of the past.” Like Christianity, Confucianism is also focused on wanting human beings to become better and kinder people. Confucianism encourages people act beyond one’s personal profit and respect those who came before them. Confucianism is also like Christianity since both traditions believe that the loss of one’s moral ground leads to problems in the basis of society. For example, in the case of Adam and Eve, I think that both Confucius and God would agree that Adam and Eve’s lack of respect for the one who came before them (God) and the loss of the morality (giving into temptation) was the cause of the problems that the two experienced later on. The disrespect highlighted in Confucius’ diagnosis is parallel to the human disobedience in Christianity’s diagnosis. Human disobedience, or disrespect towards God, is the human defect within the Christian theory of human nature. Page 125 emphasizes this idea as it states, “We [humankind] misuse our God-given free will, we choose evil rather than good, we are infected with sin, and therefore disrupt our relationship to God.” While the diagnosis of the human condition is similar in both traditions, I find Confucianism’s presentation of its diagnosis more attractive compared to Christianity since it provides a more in-depth analysis of human beings rather than Christianity’s diagnosis, which was solely focused on the fall of humankind rather than addressing humankind as a