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Post by sageda on May 24, 2013 9:28:51 GMT -5
So we all know that East Asia was heavily influenced by Confucianism. Since we're all familiar with a lot of aspects of it, what do you guys think are the positives and negatives?
I think one of the positives is that they respect their elders. I know a lot of other societies that see senior citizens as baggage so it's nice to see that they are respected in Korean society. I also like how every one is so polite.
but I think one negative is that women are seen as second-class citizens seen that their role in filial piety is being submissive to the husband.
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Post by davidh on May 25, 2013 0:54:52 GMT -5
Well this politeness idea is very strong in Korean society for no reason. It's kind of obvious that people should should respect the elders but people have to speak very politely to the people who are only 1 year older than them. I'm talking about super crazy politely... its obviously wrong to not respect them but i think it's to harsh..
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Post by sujeonggg on May 25, 2013 3:50:53 GMT -5
I agree with you. Many of East Asian ciuntries', like Korea, Confucianism made our society very respectful and refined. We use the honorific to people older than us, respecting senior citizens. However, I think respecting elders sometimes could be a negative aspect, since elderly people would take advantage of their ages. In Korean culture, some ahjussis just yell at people once they see people look younger or weaker than them.
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Post by minjaeyang on May 25, 2013 23:32:54 GMT -5
I also agreed that it is good to respect the elders. I think being respected for older age is something that is necessary in our society. I also agreed that the biggest problem in a Confucius society is the problem of gender inequality. However I think the issue of gender inequality is disappearing currently because of many efforts by the people.
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Post by michellelee on May 26, 2013 2:08:04 GMT -5
I also think the positive aspect of Confucianism is that people respect each other and work together. However, the negative aspect might be that it prevents people from having stronger emotions or doing things that go above those beliefs.
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Post by minchoi0923 on May 26, 2013 4:35:27 GMT -5
The positive side about Confucianism is that people have more respect towards each other and it works for unity. However, Confucianism sort of destroys individualism. Since it focuses too much on "relationships" and "family", it neglects those who go against the social norm and try to mock each other to fit into the society.
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Post by juliekim on May 26, 2013 7:17:53 GMT -5
A positive aspect of it is gives a sense of unity to people because we see ourselves as a part/unit of a bigger community, whether that be a family, city, or nation. But that can also work as a negative aspect of it because our culture forces you to suppress your individualistic tendencies for the good of the community. It can sometimes be a bit stifling.
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Post by sageda on May 26, 2013 7:28:11 GMT -5
Yeah, I agree with you Julie. That same collectivist mentality exists in Arab communities too and it does give a sense of unity where everyone cares for each other and would happily lend a helping hand, but it also means that everybody's in your business. There are a lot of things you can't do because of "what people will say." But then again, I don't like extremely individualistic societies either. A good balance of two is great.
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sang
Full Member
Posts: 121
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Post by sang on May 26, 2013 9:37:55 GMT -5
I think the effect that Confucianism has had on elder is actually quite negative. At some points I can't freely express my arguments with my grandparents or sometimes even my parents because of this whole Confucius thing. I think that it has really distinguished this discrimination against the younger generation. It makes the younger generation just look inferior and stupid compared to them.
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Post by cathysjun on May 26, 2013 13:22:25 GMT -5
I agree with you on the negatives. I think we look down on women. But I think respecting our elders might sometimes be a negative. It is good that we respect our elders but it is not out of true respect but because we just need to. I think it would be better if they earn their respect.
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Post by jessicak016 on May 26, 2013 19:16:59 GMT -5
I also think that through Confucianism, people respect their elders and talk to them politely. In Korea, people have to bow in front of the elder in order to show respect. Little children are taught to do that by their parents at an early age. It is good but sometimes it gets annoying when the elders always expect you to be very polite to them and think that they receive special attention.
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Post by elijahlee on May 27, 2013 20:41:33 GMT -5
I think that Confucianism and its influence on society as a whole is beneficial for the society. It promotes respect, and through respect, the construction of a strong community. I do think that there are negative aspects to this, such as when elders tend to take advantage of the system and decide to use the respect they have come to expect to get stuff.
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Post by stormy44 on May 28, 2013 0:14:20 GMT -5
I think respecting your elders is taken the wrong way. I see a lot of old people in Korea who expect to be respected just because they're older than others. But I believe age doesn't give you respect but your wisdom. Confucius told people to respect the elders, assuming that the elders know better than the young ones. I was talking to my friend yesterday and she said that she saw an ajumma pushing a girl in the subway just so she could get a seat. Things like this make me wonder if the elders deserve the respect we give them.
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Post by sarahlee2 on May 29, 2013 23:41:45 GMT -5
I think one of the really positive things is that there is respect for everyone with Confucianism like you said Sageda. It's better than living in a society where elementary school kids think that they are smarter than older people. The thing that you pointed out that women are seen as second class doesn't really apply anymore so I don't think it is a negative nowadays.
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Post by hannahs on May 29, 2013 23:44:02 GMT -5
Respecting our elders can be a good and bad thing I guess. Sometimes it's annoying because they put so much value on age even though it might be just some months apart.
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