Key Concepts in Buddhism, Confucianism, and Aristotle
Xunzi
"Human Nature is Bad"
Mencius
"Human Nature is Good"
Moral Development Metaphor
"Straightening Warped Wood" - Moral character must be forced into shape.
Four Noble Truths
1) Suffering exists, 2) It has a cause, 3) It can end, 4) The Eightfold Path is the way to end it.
Impermanence
Change is the only constant.
Right Livelihood
Choose ethical work.
ARISTOTLE
Core Ideas
The Eightfold Path
Divided into Wisdom, Conduct, and Mental Discipline.
Confucius (Kongzi)
Emphasized ethical relationships and social harmony.
Karma in Buddhism
Every action shapes future experiences; good actions bring good outcomes.
Teleology
Everything has a function (e.g., a knife cuts, eyes see).
Paticca Samuppada (Interdependent Arising)
Everything is interconnected (e.g., no parent without a child, no teacher without a student). Nothing exists independently.
Path to End Dukkha
Following the Eightfold Path leads to enlightenment.
Four Noble Truths
Foundation of Buddhism.
Xunzi's Belief
Humans are naturally selfish and need to be trained to be good.
Mencius' View
Humans start with goodness but need the right environment to develop.
Weak-Willed Person
Knows the good but gives in to vice.
Strong-Willed Person
Knows the good but struggles to act on it.
Happiness (Eudaimonia) Definition
Living a rational, virtuous life is the highest good.
The Four Sublime States (Brahmavihara)
Loving-kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic joy, Equanimity (calmness in all situations).
Right Concentration
Meditation for clarity.
Right Action
No killing, stealing, harm.
Karma
Our actions shape our future experiences.
Five Key Relationships
Parent & Child, Husband & Wife, Ruler & Subject, Friend & Friend, Elder & Younger.
Right Intention
Part of the Wisdom category in the Eightfold Path.
Right View
Part of the Wisdom category in the Eightfold Path.
Li (Ritual Propriety)
Proper social behavior that maintains harmony.
Human Special Trait
Reason.
Xiao (Filial Piety)
Respect and devotion to parents, elders, and ancestors.
Virtue (The Mean)
Right amount → Bravery.
Li (Ritual Propriety)
Social customs and traditions create order.
Cessation of Dukkha
Suffering can be ended by eliminating cravings.
Cause of Dukkha
Suffering comes from cravings and attachments.
Eudaimonia
The highest goal in life is happiness through flourishing.
Anatta (No-Self)
There is no permanent, unchanging self.
Wicked Person
Thinks vice is good (worst case).
Goal of Buddhism
Achieve Nirvana (liberation from suffering).
Brutish Person
Acts purely on animal instincts.
Dukkha (Suffering)
All life involves suffering.
Right Speech
Avoid harmful words, hate speech.
Five Precepts
Basic Morality: No killing, No stealing, No sexual misconduct, No lying, No intoxication.
Right Mindfulness
Be aware of your actions and their effects.
Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)
Born into wealth, renounced his privileged life. Sought enlightenment after seeing Four Signs (old age, sickness, death, and ascetic monk).
Four Sprouts
Innate Moral Feelings: Commiseration → Becomes Ren (Benevolence), Shame → Becomes Yi (Righteousness), Modesty → Becomes Li (Propriety), Approval/Disapproval → Becomes Zhi (Wisdom)
Goal of Confucianism
To become a junzi (exemplary person) through education and moral character.
Vice of Deficiency
Too little of a trait → Cowardice.
Vice of Excess
Too much → Recklessness.
Right Effort
Train mind towards positive thoughts.
Ren (Benevolence)
Treating others with kindness and humanity. The highest virtue in Confucianism.
Doctrine of the Mean
Virtue is a balance between two extremes (vices).
Doctrine of the Mean (Aristotle)
Virtue is the balance between excess and deficiency.
Moral Development Stages
Virtuous Person: Knows the good and acts on it easily.
Habituation
We become virtuous by practicing virtuous behavior.
