Essay 2 and Response 2:
There are three options for essay two below. Make sure you indicate which option you have chosen in the title of your essay. For example:
John Smith Essay 2 Option 1
Option 1: Ren and the human ethical condition
Confucian ethics revolves around “ren” – the benevolent character or “human-heartedness” that is at the basis of our humanity. While “humanity” and “morality” are commonly linked in western ethical theory, ren implies an essential interconnection between persons and roles. This interconnection goes all the way back to a metaphysical explanation of our human condition. In the case of ren an individual (or role) is not and cannot ever be an isolated entity; I am me and you are you in so much as we interconnection to each other. This also goes for our social roles. For example, a father or parent cannot be what he is without a child. Accordingly a father can become a good parent only through a recognition of the interconnection between him, “his” child and the family of which they are both a part. This means that to talk about “father” means we are equally talking about “child” and the overall “family” equally. Thus to be a good parent the father will learn from the son how to parent as much as the son will learn about life (and parenting) from the father.
For option one, think about the metaphysical explanation of the human condition that ren implies. If Confucius is correcthat we are that interconnected, what does this say about traditions or cultures that celebrate individuality and individual development as a central goal?
Your answer will be in two parts:
Part 1: To what extent are humans individual beings?
Most of us would agree that humans really are social creatures but the question is – What do the terms “social”, “relational” or even “inter-relational” creatures really mean? Furthermore, what implication does your explanation of these terms have on our lives as individual social relational/inter-relational creatures?
Part 2: Given your answer to part one, explain the role of traditions in the human condition?
Confucius argued that humans are non-instinctual creatures in terms of our moral condition – we are choosing and leaning ethical creatures. If he is correct, what role does tradition play in our human ethical condition?
Make sure you define “tradition” and its parts. Then think about how traditions and mentoring relationships are carried out in our society today and in the past. Perhaps you would like to discuss the role has tradition played in your ethical life? If you do so, make sure you link your argument back to what you argued in part 1.
Option 2: The eastern ethical approach in real life terms
In this section we have seen a ethical approach involving a strange relationship between “doing” and “not-doing”. We discussed this ethical framework in Daoist ethics of Wu-wei, as well as, Hindu Dharma Ethics as Yogic Action. For option two apply this doing/not-doing approach to a real world scenario.
Your answer will contain two parts:
Part 1: State and explain the ethical approach you will be explaining.
Make sure you explain who/what it involves, and how it involves them. For example if you choose wu-wei, make sure you explain wu-wei and its relation to the Dao and human action. Or if you settle on the yogic action approach make sure you explain what yogic action is, who it involves, and how it involves them.
Part 2: Apply the principle to a real world scenario.
You are welcome to use a personal experience or an abstract example. Either way make sure it is an example that your reader can connect with. Furthermore, make sure you explain: (a) the context, to include who is involved, and (b) the application of the ethical principle from part one.
Option 3: Buddhist ethics of liberation
Like Confucianism, Buddhism also challenges our notion of an individual, exclusive self. However, Buddhism argues that the sense of self or the “ego-self” we feel behind our actions is but an illusion. This contrived ego-based-self is not only unreal, it is the source of our suffering. Explore this “self” you feel for option three.
You answer will contain two parts:
Part 1: What is the nature of the “self” (the “ego-self”)?
Who, what or where is this viewer behind the view? From where or what does it arise?
Part 2: What role does this “ego-self” play in your life?
Is Buddha correct that the idea of self is the “home” and a significant “cause” of your suffering? If so, what can be done to avoid this undesirable suffering?
