The Comparison Of Outlook On Life And Death Between Confucius And Socrates

Confucius and Socrates' outlook of life and death have had a major impact, on the Eastern and Western history, They have many similarities in real life, and in the issues about life and death, both of them were concerned about the death, and faced death bravely, As both of theirs cultural background have great difference distinction, so there are difference between the outlook of life and death.The first chapter has analyzed the Confucius and Socrates'cognition of life and death."Through birth knew death"is the basic thinking for Confucius to understand the meaning of life, first we must understand the value of life, and then can understand the significance of death; death is the extending of life's significance. Confucius takes serious attitude toward birth and sorrowful attitude toward death. But Socrates holds"through death knew birth"about life and death, when faces the death, he looked upon death as going home.The second chapter has analyzed Confucius and Socrates'views which surpass life and death. Confucius took"benevolence"as the standpoint, which paid attention to"ritual"and"righteousness"stressed on morals, concerned about the individual's responsibility and commitment to the community and society. However with the help of God's hint, Socrates developed all his life explore and pursue a life of virtue, so as to pursue the moral"good life"and advice others never to be self-opinioned, Philosophers duty is to enable the soul to get rid of the tie of body, the soul is pure only when it get rid of body .the perfection of soul is importance for it has surpassed life and the life.The third chapter has analyzed that both of their out looks of life and death reflect different angles of society and ethical significance. Confucius paid great attention to the community significance of death, namely its starting point is mainly on the "others", groups and the community. Socrates paid great attention to the individual significance of death, namely its starting point mainly on individual's"honor or disgrace"or dignity. Their understanding of the relationship between man and God is different, too.