Confucius' and Plato's Philosophical Concepts

Philosophy is widely known around the world and famous philosophers originate from all around the world.

In the Analects, Confucius believes that an exemplary person (junzi) is one who does believes and acts out every aspect of filial piety, ritual propriety and humanity. He was someone who believed in maintaining and respecting the relationship one has towards his family members. He also believed in constantly improving oneself.

In Phaedo, Plato followed Socrates’ school of thought. Socrates definition of philosophy was discovering the truth and resisting worldly pleasures. He believed that death is the moment when we will attain true knowledge. Socrates describes philosophy as a “cultivation of death” (81a) and hence as “purification” of the soul (66b-67b). He believes that a philosopher should refrain from physical pleasures so as to ensure the well-being of the soul (64d) as he believes that the soul continues to live after the body dies.

While Plato believed and was focused on life after death, Confucius stated that afterlife was beyond human comprehension. Plato’s belief of life after death is supported by Socrates’ arguments that the soul is immortal. Socrates strengthens his point through three main arguments: argument from cyclical processes, theory of recollection and argument from affinity. Confucius, on the other hand, was more intent on the present instead of the future.

Confucius strengthens the point that we need to cultivate our “ren” which is to free ourselves from worry, unhappiness and exhibit self-control. This is, in a way, similar to Plato’s thinking in the sense that we should rid ourselves of worldly pleasures. This is because he believes that our soul continues to live even after our mortal body perishes. Hence, Plato believed in freeing our mind and body from emotions and pleasures of this world.

Plato believed in the detachment of the soul from the body and spending one’s entire life to achieve that. He believed in clear thinking and having a rational mind which is why he sent his wife and son away while he was in the prison. In his last few final hours, Plato shows how Socrates discussed philosophical questions with his friends instead of spending time with his family. Confucius, on the other hand, believed that the attitude you show towards one’s parents an family members is extremely important. He would most likely spend time with his family members instead during his last few hours. In that sense, he would most likely not describe Plato as a person who values his family members more than anything else.

Being someone who believe that one should take care of one’s family members especially their parents (), the act of suicide would most definitely cause grief to parents and affect reputation of the family. Plato did not believe in suicide and felt that this is wrong (REASON). This was similar to what Confucius felt and thus Confucius might describe Plato as a ‘junzi”.

Confucius believed that an exemplary person is “steadfast in the face of adversity” (15.2). In Phaedo, Socrates was seen facing his death fearlessly and did not backing down from the jury’s decision. He was also given a chance to escape the cell but he chose not to. In the face of one the most possible worst adversity, Socrates did not back down from it and instead had a clear mind even during his last few hours of his life. The idea of facing death in probably the most calm way one could have seemed to be really important to Plato. As such, Confucius may refer to Plato as a “junzi”.

However, one should note that in Phaedo, the character of Socrates has been created by the author Plato and this questions the reliability of the narrator since Plato is not the eyewitness of death of Socrates. Phaedo shows how Socrates have complete control of his emotions during his final times which is hard for most people.

Socrates was displayed heroically in Phaedo but there are questions that we can ask ourselves on Socrates. What did Socrates really want from his final hours of his life? What did he wanted to teach before he goes? Do we believe him when he said he’s not afraid when he died? Was he really that brave, rational and did he really complete control of his feelings? Did he have any moral flaws? His decision in not escaping, was it the correct decision he made?

Philosophers, in generally, want to separate their souls from their bodies (65c and 67d) and in doing that, they are moving towards reality and death (66b).