| Generally speaking, Confucianism is thought of as a humanistic philosophy, and Christianity is a typically theistic tradition. The formation of these two cultural traditions is affected by different factors. What's more, different attitudes towards human are most important factors those decide their difference. According to Confucianism, human is the measure and foundation of thinking. Therefore, the ideas on human of Confucianism are demonstrated on the basis of distinguishing human from animal. No matter what opinions on human nature, thinking of the relationship between Heaven and human, concerns about the ultimate destiny of human, or ideas about the highest degree human can reach are discussed in terms of this measure. However, the foundation of the attitudes towards human of Christianity is quite different from that of Confucianism. It is not a philosophical theory that is based on human's self-awareness, but a declaration about some religious truth based on the revelation of God, at least, true for the believers. Therefore, to Christianity, God is considered to be the basis and measure of thinking, that is to say, ideas on human of Christianity is developed on the difference between God and human. In a word, the idea on human of Confucianism is an epistemology that is based on human and human's self-awareness. And the idea on human of Christianity is initiated from God and the revelation of god. This article tries to compare the idea of human of Confucianism that is mainly represented by Confucius and Mencius' thoughts with that of Christianity in detail so as to illustrate the point mentioned above.The dissertation is divided into four parts::Part One: the different answers to "human nature". What is the human nature? Usually it's the core of the idea on human. This question can be discussed in two aspects: the origin of human and the human nature. About the origin of human, the answer of Confucianism is that Heaven creates human naturally, without will, and this answer is a purely humanistic answer. However, to Christianity, God creates human by mud in his will. We can see the theological factors easily. About human nature, Confucians point out human has his kindness when he is born, which is the priority toanimal. Or human nature is kind which is the foundation of the Confucianism ethic. Christianity holds that human nature should be sinful, which is originated from Sin in Christianity.Part two: the relationship between Heaven and human (Heaven-Man or God-Man). Another important content in Human nature is the relationship between Heaven and human, that is, the status of human in the world. Harmony between Heaven and human is the main stream of Confucius and Mencius' thoughts. This idea is both an ontology and axiology proposition, which includes the principles in the social ethics and influences China deeply. For Christianity, the relationship between Heaven and human is the creator and the creatures. God creates human, and human is the image of God. At the beginning, the relationship between God and human is harmonious. Then, the relationship between them is broken up because human is degenerated and becomes sinful. The purpose to believe in Christianity is to restore the relationship between God and human, that is, in Jesus.Part Three: the ultimate destiny of human. Confucianism emphasizes the infinity of human, and sticks to self-reflection in order to reach the harmony between Heaven and human with all hearts. On the contrary, Christianity persists in the finity of human, and only through belief can human be saved and be new-born.Part Four: conclusion. During the discussion above, we can catch the different inclinations. Confucianism expresses a strong humanism characteristic which is developed on the basic idea of human. Christianity stems from God and revelation, with strong deity. Either respectively influences the formation of the eastern and western culture. Also, both are the important factors which cause the difference in social ethics. |
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