Friday, August 22, 2008

Confucianism & Stoicism; Reading & Writing

There is a lot of linkage between Confucianism and Stoicism. They are certainly not the same, although there are some similarities in beliefs, like a shared belief in a moral law at work in the universe.

Even some of their techniques are similar. In my blog, Education for the 21st Century, I pointed out that Han Yu, 768 - 824 A.D., recommended a simple writing style called guwen. Chu Hsi (Zhu Xi) had a lot to say about how a student should read. For example:

"There is layer upon layer [of meaning] in the words of the sages. In your reading of them, penetrate deeply. If you simply read what appears on the surface, you will misunderstand. Steep yourself in the words; only then will you grasp their meaning." 4.9 (page 129) in "Learning to be a Sage" translated by Daniel Gardner.

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote this about his education:

"... I was to be accurate in my reading, and not content with a mere general idea of the meaning..." Meditation 7, Book 1.

In Meditation 7 he also says he was taught to use a direct style of writing, avoiding "verbal conceits."

It is good for a Westerner who is studying Confucianism to also study Stoicism in order to appreciate the universal nature of Confucianism.

Robert

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