Humane From the Start

The activity that we did in class of comparing both Confucianism and Taoism brought me the question; do most ideologies base their beliefs on the ability of an individual to lean towards humane decisions?

As a general idea, I think most religions/ things that provide a set of beliefs to individuals, tend to agree that humane behaviors should be embraced and encouraged by all. Why is this? I think it’s interesting that humane is closely related to humanity. Could it be that as people, who are human, we really do lean towards humane things, as a natural instinct? Could humaneness be something, we all naturally do, want to do, or should do?

In Confucianism, Confucius believes that while we all wish to achieve the best and be successful, we must do so in a humane form. This humane form is just and honorable. In Taoism, Lao-Tzu believes that the goal of life is to reach enlightenment and to reach enlightenment one has to be harmonious and willing. In the dictionary, I found that it is having compassion and benevolence towards others. But none of these definitions tell one if it is of human nature/ instinct to be humane.

I find it that the idea of humanity as a peaceful compound of varying ideas is very complicated and hard to picture. While I do not believe that as a general rule, humans are either all evil or all kind, I do agree that we must have an inclination towards kindness. I think this is why people like Lao-Tzu and Confucius inspired many to follow their beliefs. Confucianism and Taoism, alike many other religions, have inspired people to push themselves to be compassionate, kind, loving, just, careful, giving, and in general, Humane.

Although the teachings of Taoism and Confucianism vary slightly in their focus and ways, I think that both make people want to be good, want to be nice, want to be kind and loving, and to be inspiring to others through their good actions. Maybe it’s the things taught that inspire many to want to belief humanity's natural instinct is to be humane. But the questions still stands, is it our instinct? Are we born with humaneness?

To me humane decision making and action taking revolve around one's desires to be liked. Like Confucius taught, it feels good to reach a goal cleanly, knowing no one was harmed by you, and in Taoism, its an accomplishment in it self to achieve things, through one's good behavior, and being able to help others reach that is also nice.