I'm not sure of your question. Anybody can interpret any line of text. Confucius' philosophy informed the emperor Xin and did such a stellar job that China now bears his name.
Give me and example, from Confucius' philosophy, that could benefit me and the rest of humanity.
That's not the point. The point is that his philosophy has stood the test of time. It's created a long lasting and stable empire that puts anything Christians have come up with to shame. Confucius still strongly influences Chinese society. Christian philosophy, arguably, stopped informing western society and ethical codes sometime in the 1700-hundreds.
If you want a lecture on the benefits of Confucian philosophy, I suggest talking to a Confucian. I'm not. He's certainly a pithy meme goldmine. Said things like this
Confucius said:
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Then, maybe you can tell me why the philosophy remains largely confined to the Far East.
It isn't. Shoppenhaur introduced eastern philosophy into Western and created a blend of the two. Changed the world. Everything after Shoppenhaur is strongly influenced by Confucius. That includes Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Derrida and so on. His philosophy and ideas are today ubiquitous and so accepted in the west that we don't realise the source. We just think they are common sense now.
The west has a long history of taking ideas from the "colonies" and re-branding them as western. Confucius is no exception.
But that is not, in any way, true. Christianity, of the biblical kind, argues for doing things because they are right - not because of might.
Example:
“. . .For those rulers are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you want to be free of fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; 4 for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear, for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword. It is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath against the one practicing what is bad. 5 There is therefore compelling reason for you to be in subjection, not only on account of that wrath but also on account of your conscience. 6 That is why you are also paying taxes; for they are God’s public servants constantly serving this very purpose. 7 Render to all their dues: to the one who calls for the tax, the tax; to the one who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to the one who calls for fear, such fear; to the one who calls for honor, such honor.” (Romans 13:3-7)
This is about the law of the land, not about the power of God.
It doesn't argue for shit. It's just commands. Also, terrible advice. This is how you perpetuate tyranny.
It looks to me like you've been so brainwashed by this that you can't see a divine command when it hits you in the face?
There's a reason pagan philosophy is required reading when studying philosophy today. None of the Christian theologians are.
You have given no example of pagan philosophy that should be emulated.
I don't think you understand what a philosopher is. A philosopher organises thoughts. They put the correct labels on things to make them easier to talk about. Socrates was one of the greatest geniuses who ever have lived. I wouldn't recommend anybody to emulate his example. The guy lived like a dirty beggar in the street, harassing and annoying his fellow Athenians. If everybody followed his example nobody would get anything done. Doesn't diminish his thought or genius.
Here is an example; see if you can spot the foolishness:
“. . .There is one whose work is to cut down cedars. He selects a certain type of tree, an oak, And he lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel tree, and the rain makes it grow. 15 Then it becomes fuel for a man to make fires. He takes part of it to warm himself; He builds a fire and bakes bread. But he also makes a god and worships it. He makes it into a carved image, and he bows down before it. 16 Half of it he burns up in a fire; With that half he roasts the meat that he eats, and he is satisfied. He also warms himself and says: “Ah! I am warm as I watch the fire.” 17 But the rest of it he makes into a god, into his carved image. He bows down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says: “Save me, for you are my god.” 18 They know nothing, they understand nothing, Because their eyes are sealed shut and they cannot see, And their heart has no insight. 19 No one reflects in his heart Or has knowledge or understanding, saying: “Half of it I burned up in a fire, And on its coals I baked bread and roasted meat to eat. Should I, then, make the rest of it into a detestable thing? Should I worship a block of wood from a tree?” 20 He feeds on ashes. His own deluded heart has led him astray. He cannot save himself, nor does he say: “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”” (Isaiah 44:14-20)
1. This is from the Bible, so it's obviously a straw man.
2. In what way is this philosophy?
3. This is just a description of Christians, but with an alternative fetish. This critique is equally valid against Christians. Praying to gods is an equally worthless activity for both pagans and Christians.
Well - I showed you why I reject paganism. Now, you show me why I should adopt it.
Who had said anything about adopting anything. I'm not arguing for you to become a pagan. I'm an atheist. Why would I try to convert you to anything?
Ovid's Metamorphoses is about human change. How we grow and evolve. It goes through the weird and wonderful sex lives of humans. It explores a whole host of themes. And it's a work that is still relevant today. The Bible has been completely thrown out by all psychology departments and institutions as complete garbage. It teaches us that we should be able to put a lid on our sexuality and be something we're not. No, shit that isn't working out.
Since that philosophy accepts sexual immorality, I have all the more reason to reject it. The lies and unfaithfulness that accompany it is clearly not worth it to us. Applying Christian principles works wonderfully for us. We are free from the guilt and sense of worthlessness that comes with the life style, as testified by many who lived it:
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20110801/a-better-husband/#?insight[search_id]=fb5f8590-eccf-4a38-9e86-f427222ff218&insight[search_result_index]=2
My experience. Catholic girls are the weirdest freaky kinky girls out there. They seem to all hate themselves in various unhealthy ways. I think it has to do with Catholic guilt? Christian demands on unnatural human sexuality makes them into perverted sexual freaks. I don't think Christian morals fit any human. I think it's all self delusion. I think it's all about trying to be something we're not.
The pagans on the other hand was a far more open and honest society. I should say that they also had stringent and strict regulations on sexual behavior. They weren't nearly as free as we are today.
The Biblical advice on human sexuality is just terrible advice. Following them is the best way to create an insecure sexually dysfunctional basket case, unable to feel their own body, and in fear about their own sexual urges.
Most other religious texts are better guides for life.
I don't think you can find one.
One! I can find loads. Since Christianity is one of the dumbest and most shallow religions ever devised, any randomly selected sacred text is likely to beat it in wisdom. Here you go, help yourself.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/
