"Benevolence" And "Civic Virtue"

"Civic virtue Confucianism"or the so called "Civics Confucianism",is a term or concept suggested by Lin An Wu and Deng Yu Ren.This essay purposely locate Confucian Civic Virtue,and emphasis on the connection between of Confucianism and constitutional democracy.Actually,the constitutional democracy society existed much earlier than Confucian Civics Virtue,and definitely,it is not Civics Confucianism that gave birth to constitutional democracy.A clear concept and understanding about the nature and relationships or connection between Constitutional democracy and Civics Confucianism is very important before we discuss further about this topic.Many people regarded Confucianism as the saint(theory)and the king(practice)in the field of philosophy.We may,however can prove the important and its prestigious position by elaborating the principles and value of the civic virtue of Confucianism and at the same time repeating and publicized the good comments and ideas about "civic virtue"from many well-known scholars and philosophers over the centuries.In real sense,it is absolutely true that Confucianism existed earlier than civics virtue,and it is pretty sure that the civic virtue values had enriched and enhanced the prestigious position of Confucianism in this world.However,looking from another historical aspect,we can also conclude that it was the civic virtue that was originated in the early human civilization that had nurtured the growth of the great ideology of Confucianism;and the human society had managed to use the fundamental values of Confucianism to enhance and strengthened its position of civic virtue in the human society.However,this essay will emphasize and analyze on:Civic Virtue Confucianism from the aspects of constitutional democracy,and its influences and impacts towards constitutional democracy.The dilemma and problem of civic virtue in the human societyThe connection and relation between the fundamental values of the two ideology.(Confucianism versus Civic Virtue)Confucianism is about LOVE that is family love and universal love;Civic virtue is about ETHICAL VALUES,namely civils ethic and noble public spirit.Confucianism wants every human being to love their family members and from there we gradually extend our hearts beyond the limits and to have the feeling of greater universal love,that means to love everybody and all living things in this world.In contrast,civic virtue wants human to focus in:1.Civils ethics.2.Posses noble spirit,maintaining a good name and noble character and to act fairly and equally in the society and to the world.Every human is born with the feeling of love in our soul,the feeling of love make us love our life and taking good care of ourselves.Confucianism believes that every human is equipped with some sense of universal love,however,sometimes humans are selfish,"closing their hearts"and love himself and his family members only.The morality of citizens begins with an external name.Similarly,if the "name"(this means fame and position,Confucius regards this as a tool for benevolence)in the society and is targeting in a selfish way doing something with the motive of"maintain the interests of a private power group ",then this "name" will tend to neglect about others.Such behaviors and attitude is however is rather unethical and it is a negative trend in a normal society.Therefore,the misuse of the feeling of"personal love"and the unhealthy practice of pursuing "name""can lead to immorality and dishonesty immoral behavior among the human society.Civic Confucianism also teaches us about humanity and benevolence.For those of us who have universal love's values in our inner self should try our best to influence those who are selfish and only know about family love.For those who possess the right civil ethical values must always guide those who are dishonest and immoral and blindly pursuing the so called "good names" or social status in an immoral way.Humanity and benevolence is realized if we think about the "we" less than that of"me".Civic Virtue Confucianism also stress on the concept of compassion and caring values,man should love and care for each other,encourages others to cultivate love and to be more loving and to slowly nurture a society which is full of caring and love.Civic virtue Confucianism also focus on fairness and equality for everyone in the society,such values which are also found in the Constitutional democracy,is definitely is the fundamental factors which will then create a just and fair society which you can see everyone is happy and smiling.Civic Virtue also talks about human freedom and the right to take and expressing their view and feeling in the public.Civic virtue Confucianism also stress on good government policy and effective and compassion administration system.Confucius believes that good government could bring about order,peace and good society,and the people in the nation will not suffer.Civic Virtue Confucianism also says that if a nation want to be well managed and,the rulers must be open enough to take and receive criticism and public views,the citizen of the nation must be brave and wise enough to correct and advise the ruler when there are something being done wrongly.A good government will however can gain the full support of the people,and eventually making the nation become prosperous and strong and the people will be wealthy and happy.In short,The inner pole of Confucianism civic virtue was reformist,idealistic,and spiritual.It generated a high ideal for family interaction:members were to treat each other with love,respect,and consideration for the needs of all.It prescribed a lofty ideal for the state:the ruler was to be a father to his people and look after their basic needs.It required officials to criticize their rulers and refuse to serve the corrupt.According to Civic virtue Confucianism value,a good ruler or a noble person or the so called a SAINT is simply a person who has high moral value,who has done many good deeds to the people and society and who can give good advice and motivates when he talks and of course he must be a role model to the nation and the society as a whole.It is very clear that the value of Confucianism has flourish and become more practical and well accepted in the whole world when its CIVIC VIRTUE concepts and values are being successfully introduced to public and become the fundamental values in creating a much better society and a better world for mankind.In the modern world,the Civics as a subject taught in many schools in the world has included in their syllabus many Confucianism civic virtue values such as the Confucius social value,the basis of caring,compassion and interdependency and many others,with the hope to produce happier and more productive students.Confucianism which focuses so much in it Civic virtue values has successfully transformed itself to become a tool to mold the character of good citizen and ruler as well as the government officers.It helps to create a harmonious situation where the whole country prospers.Owing to its capability of addressing a wide range of social and political issues in the twenty-first century,Confucianism especially its civic virtue values is still relevant today In the modern day,thus placing it in a very high position with prestigious status in the human world.