The concepts of the good life/virtue and self-cultivation are well known in the teachings of philosophers. Ancient philosophers Socrates and Kongzi express the concepts of virtue and self-cultivation in many of their philosophical teachings. Socrates expresses his virtue and self-cultivation through the concepts of wisdom and questioning. Kongzi expresses the same concepts through focusing on the past and ancient rituals. In this paper I aim to compare and contrast the similarities of the philosophical teachings of Kongzi and Socrates. I will also explain why I believe that Kongzi’s view of the good life and virtue is more compelling to me than Socrates. Kongzi’s view of the good life and virtue is more family oriented and focuses on improving
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In Plato’s Apology, Socrates says, “for the unexamined life is not worth living for men, you will believe me even less.” From this quote, Socrates is explaining that one must be able to question themselves in order to become a better person. Socrates always considers himself to be a very humble person. He differenced himself from the Sophists in the sense that he did not consider himself as someone who taught for money. Many of the youth he influenced went on to question the Sophists and older Athenians, which did not make them happy. Because of this, Socrates was sent to court on charges of corrupting the youth. In Plato’s Apology, Socrates explains to Meletus that he ventured into the oracle of Delphi and “asked if any man was wiser than I, and the Pythian replied that no one was wiser.” The Delphi says this because Socrates knows that he does not know everything, and does not try to admit that he does. Because of this, Socrates wants to question the people that think they know it all. In the Apology, Socrates confronts the bystanders, poets, and craftsman to challenge their knowledge. When talking about the bystander, Socrates says, “I am wiser than this man; it is likely that neither of us knowns anything worthwhile, but he thinks he knows something when he does not.” Socrates wanted to point out that it is unwise for someone to act like they know …show more content…
I find virtue his view more compelling than Socrates because it is more focused on improving others and not just yourself. Living a virtuous life is important because how you act and live your life not only affects yourself, but others as well. Kongzi believes that the good life does not focus on materialistic things such as wealth, fame, and fortune, but more on a person’s intellect and knowledge. In the Analects, Kongzi says “Wealth and eminence attained improperly- concern me no more than the floating clouds.” Socrates thought that a person’s true self did not have to do with their beauty or how they look, but more with their intellect and knowledge. Both of these philosophers are trying to explain that the materialistic things are not what make us who we are. What makes us who we are is our ability to think and grown in mind as a person. Virtues are the basics that you live your life
In Plato’s Apology, Socrates says, “for the unexamined life is not worth living for men, you will believe me even less.” From this quote, Socrates is explaining that one must be able to question themselves in order to become a better person. Socrates always considers himself to be a very humble person. He differenced himself from the Sophists in the sense that he did not consider himself as someone who taught for money. Many of the youth he influenced went on to question the Sophists and older Athenians, which did not make them happy. Because of this, Socrates was sent to court on charges of corrupting the youth. In Plato’s Apology, Socrates explains to Meletus that he ventured into the oracle of Delphi and “asked if any man was wiser than I, and the Pythian replied that no one was wiser.” The Delphi says this because Socrates knows that he does not know everything, and does not try to admit that he does. Because of this, Socrates wants to question the people that think they know it all. In the Apology, Socrates confronts the bystanders, poets, and craftsman to challenge their knowledge. When talking about the bystander, Socrates says, “I am wiser than this man; it is likely that neither of us knowns anything worthwhile, but he thinks he knows something when he does not.” Socrates wanted to point out that it is unwise for someone to act like they know …show more content…
I find virtue his view more compelling than Socrates because it is more focused on improving others and not just yourself. Living a virtuous life is important because how you act and live your life not only affects yourself, but others as well. Kongzi believes that the good life does not focus on materialistic things such as wealth, fame, and fortune, but more on a person’s intellect and knowledge. In the Analects, Kongzi says “Wealth and eminence attained improperly- concern me no more than the floating clouds.” Socrates thought that a person’s true self did not have to do with their beauty or how they look, but more with their intellect and knowledge. Both of these philosophers are trying to explain that the materialistic things are not what make us who we are. What makes us who we are is our ability to think and grown in mind as a person. Virtues are the basics that you live your life