Confucius and Aristotle on Virtue Research Assignment

Aristotle and Confucius
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Aristotle and Confucius
Virtues and morality are the basic principles that guide the human system in enhancing a social and effective coexistence among the human race. Unlike the animals, the human race is characterized with high levels of intelligence a factor which makes them agents of morality and principles that guide their interactions. Different philosophers, authors and academicians have different views of the human ethics, virtues and morals. In particular, Aristotle and Confucius are philosophers of ancient times who were notably equivocal in ethics and virtue. Both of them have their own take on morality, good ethical character and conduct. I am going to cross-refer and encapsulate texts which are the Aristotle's Nichomachean ethics and the Confucius Analects (Lunyu). What do both philosophers believe in as virtuous? I will look on their takes on the Mean, moral virtue, truth ritual and how these ideologies have affected their respective society's civilizations all this time CITATION Ari00 \l 1033 (Stevenson, 2000).
To begin with, Aristotle’s belief in the Mean is moral virtue in itself, and it is a settled intermediate state of character, towards virtuous actions. In a similar way, we view the doctrine of the Mean of Confucius. To him, the Mean is spirituality in nature. It is heavenly with an "Equilibrium and Harmony" and also with "Sincerity and Intelligence". Confucius thinks that Heaven’s nature in itself is the virtue of Heaven because it is divine. Therefore the belief of the Mean is a theory of virtue as well and his thoughts are, to be virtuous, a man should become one with Heaven and Earth.
In the concept of moral virtue, Aristotle states that the soul is a background. Aristotle claims the soul to be divided into two parts: one with rational principles and the other is irrational in nature. However, Aristotle believes that "by human virtue we mean not that of the body but that of the soul…" where the soul is not at the sense of following rational knowledge, but the sense of being persuaded, refrained or tamed. Based on the division of the soul, Aristotle distinguishes virtue as intellectual virtue and moral virtue. He asserts that intellectual virtue is raised within the rational part of the soul, but does not explain where moral virtue can be acquired. Whereas Confucius' social philosophy largely reflects the concept of ren, "compassion" or "loving others." developing and practicing such concern for others involves humility. This means being sure to avoid artful speech that would create a false impression which would lead to self-exaltation. For Confucius, concern for others is shown in practicing forms of the Golden Rule: "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others;" He regards devotion to parents and older siblings as the most basic form of promoting the interests of others before one's own.
For Aristotle, the Mean is determined by the order of the right rule. The right rule is in the part of soul with the rational principle. He divides it further into two: one is the scientific part that is used to contemplate things whose originative causes are invariable while the other is the...