After Reading Chapter 3 And The Material At The Websites ✓ Solved

After reading Chapter 3 and the material at the websites and viewing

After reading Chapter 3 and the material at the websites, and viewing the videos, please make a 250-word initial post that answers the following questions about the primary sources: What values do Plutarch and Confucius promote? What similarities and differences do you see in their moral and educational philosophies? How are those similarities and differences related to the history and structure of their respective societies and the problems of creating a common elite class culture to govern far-flung empires?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Confucius and Plutarch, though originating from distinct cultural backgrounds—China and Greece—offer comparable insights into the values that underpin moral and educational philosophies. Confucius emphasizes virtues such as filial piety, righteousness, and moral integrity, advocating for harmony within society through the cultivation of personal virtue and proper conduct. His teachings primarily focus on moral self-cultivation and the importance of hierarchical relationships to maintain social stability. Similarly, Plutarch underscores virtues such as discipline, moderation, and the importance of education in shaping virtuous citizens. His discussions on the moral development of children highlight the significance of instilling moral values early in life to forge a responsible elite class that can govern wisely.

Both philosophers promote education as a means of moral improvement and societal stability. However, Confucius emphasizes the importance of ritual and tradition as guiding principles, fostering social harmony by adhering to established norms. In contrast, Plutarch’s approach leans towards cultivating personal virtue through practical ethics and moral reflection, which are adaptable to diverse contexts. Their philosophies reflect the societal structures they aimed to serve: Confucian ideals supported hierarchical imperial governance with a focus on moral leadership, while Plutarch’s teachings aimed to create virtuous elites capable of guiding democratic or mixed governments.

The similarities in emphasizing morality and education highlight their shared goal of creating a morally upright ruling class. The differences—particularly in emphasis on tradition versus individual virtue—mirror their societal structures and the challenges of governing large empires. Confucian values helped maintain order within the structured, hierarchical Chinese empire, while Plutarch’s focus on character development supported the more decentralized political landscape of Greece. Both philosophies address the universal challenge of cultivating a moral elite to ensure effective governance across vast territories.

References

• Confucius. (n.d.). Analects. Retrieved from [website]
• Plutarch. (c. 110 CE). The Training of Children. Retrieved from [website]
• Reilly, K. (Year). The Human Journey, Chapter 3.
• China and Rome: A Comparison of Two Empires. (Year). YouTube Video.
• The Roman Empire vs Han Dynasty. (Year). YouTube Video.
• Liu, X. (2017). The Confucian World. Harvard University Press.
• Becker, J. (2014). The Religious and Philosophical Foundations of Confucianism. Philosophy East and West.
• Gernet, J. (1996). Daily Life in China on the Eve of the Mongol Invasion. Stanford University Press.
• Guerard, A. (2015). The Moral Philosophy of Plutarch. Classical Philology.
• Cartledge, P. (2017). The Greeks: A Global History. Oxford University Press.