When Socrates Meets Confucius
Common people come to the world with nothing, and leave with nothing. Great people come to the world with nothing, but they’ll leave with endless possibilities. Socrates and Confucius are such great people. Assuming these two wise individuals with their regional thoughts deeply in mind meet one day, what kind of spectacle will happen on them or even in the two countries, especially in China?
Firstly, Chinese will gradually realize the importance of the establishment of the legal system. The Confucianism centered on morality. It emphasizes that morality is much more important than the law, which inversely causes the citizen’s law consciousness to be light. While the Socrates lived in a more law-based country, comparing to the virtue, he attached greater importance to the legislation. So, when Socrates meets Confucius, he will share his legal awareness with Confucius and finally blend it to the Chinese culture. Secondly, Chinese will deal with things in a more rational and scientific way. In ancient China, most people are superstitious. The Confucianism spread some kind of mysterious figure, such as the god and the fairy. So, many times when it came to something difficult to deal with or
explain to the civilians, the rulers may choose to advocate the illusory theology to comfort them. This kind of handling will only cover up the facts in short term. While Socrates’ thought is scientific, he may have an absolutely different way to deal with the same thing. Thus, when Socrates meets Confucius, as the days progressed, Chinese will be more rational and no longer depend on the so called god to bless for a good life, but try to work hard on their own.
Thirdly, Chinese culture will be more inclusive and exoteric in academic. The Confucianism is almost authoritarian in the ancient times, especially in the Qing dynasty, which limited the development of other schools. Whereas the Socrates treats the academic in a broader way, he recognizes the freedom of learning. Therefore, when Socrates meets Confucius, Chinese culture will develop in a more inclusive and exoteric way. Different thoughts will integrate and the Chinese culture will“sparking”.
In conclusion, if Socrates meets Confucius, great changes must have happened to China in the establishment of the legal system, the rational and scientific Chinese manners of dealing with things and the more inclusive and exoteric Chinese culture.