What does Confucianism have to offer us as individuals?
Part I of II
Confucianism does not offer us ‘the’ rules. Confucianism offers us the concept that a definite set of rules are necessary.
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Which set of rules is up to us.
The rules establish the order. The rules establish what we think of the individual, define what it is we think the purpose of the individual is, and form the model of what it is we think life is.
And so we go about setting up rules and laws in society to outline conduct acceptable to society and to fine tune our rules and laws, they eventually become so complex that we lose sight of the individual altogether.
The society and institutions then become what is important – not the individual.
This complexity gains momentum the further it gets from its point of origination.
The point of origination is the concept of setting up rules so society can be saved.
This does not imply Confucianism is the cause of our problems in society.
Quite the contrary.
What is does imply is that we are at fault.
You and I are at fault.