The Analects: Analysis Questions

     1. Is this a religion? Why do you think so/think not?

A religion can be defined as “an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion).  The main aspects of a religion are: religious beliefs in God, sacred texts, rituals/symbols, ethical principles/guiding behavior, and spirituality.  In both Book One and Book Two, many of these aspects are explained, therefore substantiating the existence of Confucianism as a religion. 

In Book One, the “Master” is referenced, possible representing a god or god-like figure.  This is the first clue that Confucianism is in fat a religion.  The ethical principles that Confucians adhere to (referred to in the book) include perseverance, virtue, application, hard work, and faith.   These principles provide the foundation for the whole religion of Confucianism. 

Another reason why I believe Confucianism is a religion is that the ethics focused on in this book impact society.  Just as a religion dictates the events and daily life of a society, Confucianism may have dictated life of Ancient China.  In Book Two, the author writes, “If the people be led by laws, and uniformity sought to be given to them…” (Chapter III, Line1-3) implying that society of Ancient China may have been based on the religious principles described in the Analects.  Not only was society based on the context of the Analects, but punishments and daily life may have been dictated by the religion of Confucianism as well. 

Lastly, since this book, the Analects, is a text focusing on the principles of Confucianism, it can be considered a sacred text, thus providing evidence that Confucianism is a religion. 

   

2. Does this reading support the idea that people are born good/bad/neutral?  Refer to three examples (using the book, section, and line number as the citations) that support your point of view.  

This reading supports the idea that people are born neutral and are given the decision to either become good or bad. 

In Book One, the author states, “he should overflow in love to all, and cultivate the friendship of the good.” (Chapter VI, line 5-7)  It can be inferred by the reader that the subject of the matter “He,” has been given a choice without external influence, to become friends with the “good” or the “bad”.  It is up to the man to make this choice.  In this way, this example may be reflecting how the author of this text believed that everybody is born neutral, but sways towards the positive or negative side as a result of decisions. 

Also in Book One, the author states that the superior man “bends his attention to what is radical.” (Chapter II.I, line 9-11).  Since the man who is described in the passage is “bending his attention,” the reader can conclude that his attention was at one point “straight,” but due to a “radical” influence, his attention was “bent.”  This further supports the claim that the author is insinuating that everyone is born neutral, but sways when impacted by outside factors. 

Lastly at the end of Book One, the author writes, “As you cut and then file, as you carve and then polish,” which can be interpreted in many ways.  One way in which the reader can interpret this is the way factors change a human being.  According to this theory, a person is born neutral, but his soul or ethics are metaphorically cut, filed, polished, or carved.  In this way, a person who was born neutral can be shaped into either a “good” or “bad” character based on his or her decisions.