Most recent public comments by Varun Bindra https://nowcomment.com/users/11061 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289893 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289893 Uriah, on second read, this Analect hints at the same idea you mentioned regarding Analect 1.1- the gentleman's (or ruler's in this case) virtue attracts and inspires others with effortlessness. Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:26:09 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289892 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289892 I agree; Xi Jinping's attempts to revive Confucianism is making the government more accountable to the people by eliminating corruption among other things. I think one of the reasons Westerners are unable to understand this is that our philosophy doesn't address practical, political matters (for the most part, it addresses theoretical conundrums such as the origins of matter). Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:21:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289891 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289891 From Confucius' view, though, the answer is not to curb free expression in order to make pop culture more harmonious. Rather, the problem lies in political and economic elites shaping a culture of excess and depravity, and changing that would make modern music as beautiful and peaceful as the Odes of antiquity. Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:15:32 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289890 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289890 Many Western philosophers focus on human needs. For Confucius, though, just doing enough to stay alive isn't enough; a good, content life fulfilling one's emotional and spiritual wants is far more crucial than fulfilling someone's nourishment needs. Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:04:42 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289888 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289888 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:02:02 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289887 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289887 I wonder what Confucius would think of current CCP laws that serve to restrict participation (anti-Confucian) for the purpose of developing communal well-being (Confucian). For example, would Confucius cite "the ends justify the means" to legitimize CCP crackdowns of protests in Xinjiang and Tibet? Thu, 23 Oct 2014 03:59:34 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289886 https://nowcomment.com/documents/28873?scroll_to=289886 Remaining in place indicates inaction. As the Daoists would say, the best ruler is invisible. Both Confucianism and Daoism in this way oppose Legalism by opposing active policymaking as a way to improve society. Instead, Confucians believe a ruler's De or ren would improve society by trickling down as you say. I see this as a bit idealistic for political leaders because people tend not to look up to political leaders as moral role models. I do see though, how it could apply to spiritual leaders. Example: Pope Francis has made many Christians more tolerant by opposing homophobia. Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:26:09 -0400