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Confucius Vs Socrates Research Paper

648 Words3 Pages

Two of the greatest philosophers, Confucius and Socrates, were placed in a hypothetical situation. Socrates was put on trial for corrupting the youth of Athens. His defense was discussed in the Apology, written by one of his disciples Plato. A jury of 501 Athenians were asked to listen to his speech and decide his fate. Another philosopher, Confucius, was from a different time and place but for the purposes of the paper he was a part of the jury. The two philosophers had a common goal for society, but ultimately I believe Confucius would have found Socrates guilty from their conflicting views on a virtuous life and his lack of obedience to superiors. As for the philosopher’s standings on ethics, I would say they both have a common goal. Each …show more content…

He split society into five relationships and said social harmony could be attained by social hierarchy. “He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it,” (The Analects 2). Confucius believed everyone should follow orders, rules, and will. I think he would have had difficulties with Socrates’ conception of virtue because it lacked the obedience to social superiors. Socrates stated, “God only is wise; the wisdom of men is little or nothing...And so I go my way, obedient to the god, and make inquisition into the wisdom of anyone,” (Apology 203). He would have defined the virtuous life as the right to question authority in search for the truth. Throughout Apology, Socrates protests against his fellow Athenians. He even went as far to say, “Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you… I reproach him with undervaluing the greater, and overvaluing the less…” (Apology 203). Socrates has a lack of admiration and obedience to his superiors. His statement expresses the direct opposite of Confucius’ beliefs in the order of relationship. Their views on virtue differ, which was the key conflict that would have influenced Confucius to vote Socrates guilty. Confucius once said, “If the will be set on virtue, there will be no practice of wickedness,” (The Analects 4). I think those would be the same

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