The Celebrated Cases Of Judge Dee Analysis

In the book, "The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee" Judge Dee strategically solved three very difficult and treacherous cases, each with its own surprising culprit. Although Judge Dee was effective in solving the murders themselves, his flagrant disrespect to the elderly (a form of Xiao), obvious lack of humanity and courtesy towards his citizens and the people in his court (a form of Ren), and brazen use of spirituality (dreams and ghosts), and not pragmatism or ethics, as means to deduce guilt shows that he was not effective according to Confucian principles. To aid with this argument, effectiveness means the "The quality of achieving an intended result," and even though Dee solved the murders that he encountered, the means in which he solved …show more content…
One truly visible example of such an incident comes from his meeting with the old constable, who kindly revealed the truth of "Turnip Pass" (Dee Goong An 119) When the old man talked about how kind Dee was for hearing his (Old Constable 's) words, Dee rudely interrupted the old constable and impatiently asked him for more pertinent information. " ' I was asking you ', Judge Dee hastily interrupted…" Even though the old constable was going off on tangents at the time, Dee had no right to treat him so rudely, just to get information out of him. In fact, once Dee received all of the pertinent information he needed regarding the truth of "Turnip Pass", he simply ignored the old constable 's words and dismissed him. As an alternative, Dee could have been more respectful by listening to the old man and letting him …show more content…
Although his use of unnecessary force and punishments showed very legalistic actions, his use of force not only violated the principle of Ren, but also the Golden Rule (Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself). Take a look at Dee 's punishments with Widow Djou. When she first entered the court, she failed to confess to her murder. Due to her continued claims of innocence, Judge Dee grew angry and started to whip and torture her, going against the value of humanity or even basic courtesy. " 'We shall see whether or not you shall confess under torture. Give her first forty lashes with the whip!" ' (60). A more humane and courteous judge would not have whipped or tortured her at first. Instead, a courteous judge, following the values of Confucianism, would have questioned Widow Djou further and used more humane methods of drawing out a confession (disguising as a ghost, using the mind as a weapon). Instead, Dee not only failed to recognize and maintain Widow Djou 's health and safety, he also put his own court in danger (torture for false punishment), not to mention himself. Judge Dee also failed to recognize the golden rule and tortured her almost to the brink of death, a fate that he surely would not have wanted for himself or his own