Confucius: Chapters 2 & 3

Are We Made of Clay?

   I knew the argument of Nature vs. Nurture was decades old in the field of psychology. What I didn't know was that it was being argued THOUSANDS of years ago by philosophers and/ or political leaders like Confucius.

   Nature: in psychology, the Nature side argues that people are born with characteristics and genetic traits that make them who they are. Plato was a believer in certain human things being inborn. Another unsolved argument arises from this whether humans are innately good / evil.

   Nurture: in psychology, the Nurture side argues that humans are shaped by the way that their parents raise them, in other words "how they are nurtured." Confucius' beliefs support this side of the argument in that people's life experiences shape who they become. For him, he would be likely to say that it is our journey on the Way (Li) that makes us who we are shaped into.

   I find that I am somewhat in between both sides of the argument. Where do you stand?  Are we born a pre-determined sculpture? Or, are we clay, ready to be molded?

Confucius: Prologue & Chapter 1

Was Confucius Extra-Ordinary??

"Patching the roof
And pitching the hay
Is not my idea
Of a perfect day.
When you're extra-ordinary,
You gotta do extra-ordinary things.
 . . .
I've got to be
Someone who lives
All of his life
In superlatives.
I'm extra-ordinary.
I gotta do extra-ordinary things!"

-Pippin, "Extraordinary" from the musical Pippin

  The above passage consists of lyrics from one of the songs in the Broadway musical, Pippin. The medieval, circus-styled musical tells the coming-of-age story of Prince Pippin, who must find himself and determine what he wants to do with his life. He sings this song, "Extraordinary," after traveling to the country and witnessing their way of life. The lesson that Pippin must learn is one of the Confucian teachings that we talked about Tuesday in class.

  Confucius believed that all people need to know that they are respected and appreciated. Even an honest worker at a good job deserves to know that he is doing well and benefitting others. He may simply have to support a family, so he is working to help them. But everyone deserves respect.

  Pippin must learn to appreciate all people and the noble work that even the laborers of the kingdom do. And, especially as Stage Manager for a Production Crew over 60, I have seen that showing appreciation is a successful way for a leader to get the group to work hard and get the job done. And, done well. Pippin learns that a person can be extraordinary by being ordinary.

Jesus: Chapter 7

Miracles & Metaphors

   I found the Nature Miracles as symbolic narratives very interesting. It was discussed that the Miracles that Jesus was capable of according to the Gospels were metaphors of his power over authority. An example of one of these Miracles is Jesus walking on water. Even if the miracle did not literally occur, it is understandable how it could be perceived that a figure as powerful as Jesus could walk on water's surface. His followers obviously saw him as being above the average man. And, on a scientific note, water's hydrogen bonds cause water to have high surface tension, causing certain creatures, such as water striders, to be able to walk across its surface.

   Water is also symbolic of rebirth and cleanliness, which is fitting for Jesus and the work that he did. It is known to be used in baptisms and symbolic of them in literature. The act of Jesus walking on water's surface shows the power he had over people because he has power over a substance used to convert people to a certain religion. Therefore, he has power over their beliefs, illustrating the influence he had on people's thoughts and actions. Water as a cleansing substance depicts Jesus' ability to cleanse others of their sins and furthermore their past beliefs. He is so revolutionary to them that he wipes out their old beliefs and starts fresh with them.

   It is like they are being reborn. . . .

   Side Note:
Is it relevant that water is not prevalent in Israel because of the desert climate?