Confucianism - a Religion or a Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Confucianism - a Religion or a Philosophy - Essay ExampleFrom an epitome of the text and a cursory review of Confucianism, it must be understood by the reader that at that place are ultimately only three alternatives which could be gleaned the understanding that Confucianism represents a philosophy but not a religious one, the understanding that Confucianism represents a religious worldview first and fore close to within a philosophic interpretation being secondary, and the understanding that Confucianism represents both a religious and an philosophical interpretation. Likewise, it is the intuitive feeling of this author that the most appropriate interpretation of this specific situation is the first determinant listed above with the third determinant withal being a distant possibility. Seeking to understand such a question may depend as something of an exercise in futility due to the circumstance that Confucianism is not a widely practiced righteousness however, seeking to define what specifically is and what specifically is not a devotion is an important aspect of delineating and define the current world in which we live. The reason for choosing this first determinant as the most likely eccentric person in question is due to the fact that Confucian beliefs do not specify a belief or appreciation for any sub determined of gods that must be followed or appreciated in order for the one-on-one to attain a degree of benefit, worship or salvation. Whereas new(prenominal) religions make specific rubrics with regards to what deities must be worshipped and extolled in order for a degree of personal benefit to be generated, Confucianism makes no such claims. Moreover, building upon this is the fact that Confucianism is syncretic i.e. it builds upon other belief clays and faiths. This is something that few other belief systems can claim and not a single world religion is capable of boasting. This fact, perhaps beyond any of the others which result be di scussed, helps to clip Confucianism apart and differentiate this as an philosophyal interpretation of the world rather than a stringently religious one. Naturally, although the foregoing definition is sound, the fact remains that Confucianism retains key elements of religious dogma with regards to the means by which individuals should integrate with one another and the world around them. Due to the fact that the writings and belief system of Confucianism are concerned primarily with philosophyal and moral interpretations, it is easy to understand why many of the individuals that have researched this particular world view have come to the understanding that philosophyal world view and interpretations of right conduct is a handle that more appropriately defines Confucianism as compared to the blanket and somewhat incorrect handle of religion (Smith 186). Yet, unheeding of the interpretation of Confucianism that is made, the fact remains that it retains many of the aspects of a reli gion so it is also understandable why so many individuals have referred to it as a religion replete with a holy set of writings/proverbs, a prophet, and a base line of standards and beliefs that are passed down from one generation to the undermentioned from one believer to the next. As such, it is the view of this author that Confucianism is in fact a verifiable religion as it exhorts a set of followers to act and behave in a certain demeanor as a result of constraining and/or defining their lives based upon a certain set of teachings and principles. In such a manner, the definition of religion might not perfectly meld with the fact that Confucianism does not have a god or a particular clergy or any other such hallmarks of other well known religions, it meets