Confucius (K’ung Fu-tzu) (551-479)
He was born at end of Eastern Chou period and the beginning of Warring States period. We learn about him from the “Analects”, a series of passages written by his disciples. Confucius wanted to be an advisor to a monarch. He travelled around in search of a monarch, but no one wanted his ideas; he was too moral. Everyone wanted pragmatic techniques for use in winning the wars. He then became a teacher. It was not until 200 years after his death were his ideas taken seriously. Eventually his ideas became the imperial creed. Confucian classics: included the Li Ching (book or rites) and the I Ching (a more ancient text which he developed and for which he wrote commentaries).
Confucius ideas were that Social unrest was all due to the breakdown of respect. Respect for the hierarchy (familial and imperial). He believed one should behave as one is supposed to according to one’s station in life, and not to be ambitious. He envisaged a harmonious society kept together by a tight hierarchical system of precisely defined social roles and mutual obligations.
How Confucian Ideology Affected Chinese Medicine
• Passage written by Hsun-Tzu, a famous disciple of Confucius:
“The true ruler begins to put his state in order while order still prevails; he does not wait until insurrections have already erupted.”
• Passage in the Nei Ching (Chinese medical classic)
“The sages do not treat those who have already fallen ill, but rather those who are not yet ill. They do not put their state in order only when revolt is underway, but before an insurrection occurs.”
• The Confucian idea of moderation shows up in the Nei Jing in several passages. In other words, health would be maintained by moderation in lifestyle.
• The Five Relationships also influenced medicine: Example: Husband-Wife imbalance (which is where the pulses at one wrist are too strong and at the other wrist too weak): Certain techniques are also called Mother-Son and Father-Son technique.
• The Zang Fu (Organs) are given names of “officials”. For example, Liver is the “commander” of the armed forces. The Heart is the Supreme Ruler, the Stomach is the official in charge of public granaries. The court (body) runs well when all the officials (organs) interact harmoniously. Of paramount importance is the Supreme Ruler or Emperor (Heart). If the Emperor is disturbed, the whole court (all the other organs) will suffer. This reflects the Confucian way of thinking, the Supreme Ruler has to remain in perfect balance, and to rule by example. Even today, it is considered by many that the Heart is to be treated first if it is affected (e.g. in emotional disturbance, the Heart is always affected).
Chinese Medicine and the role of Confucius represents a balanced commingling of ethical principles with moral excellence at the core. Confucian writings refer to a set of precepts that comprise the value of human life. In both Chinese and Tibetan medicine, the influence of Confucius resonates clearly. These principles are in their standards of practice. A medical practician must be honest and resolve to improve his or her attainments with diligence. This requires an understanding of life, correctness, integrity, and reputability.
Chinese and Tibetan medicine embody integral systems that demonstrate exceptional healing techniques, but the commonality is their fundamental moral character. Confucian principles play a pivotal role in the creation and development of time-honoured medical ethics. These precepts, emphasize mental training and culture, which are the key elements that construct the Chinese and Tibetan medicine and its ethics, laws, and regulatory guideposts. Moral instruction, practical application, and evaluation should be incorporated into medical education, so those teachings will embed innately.
Confucius viewed human beings as the “whole,” not singular entities. His directive was that of Tien Ming, which teaches that heaven has jurisdiction over all natural phenomena. This philosophical doctrine can be applied to health, sickness, life, death, wealth, or impoverishment. The essence of Chinese meditation for many centuries, and the rules of moral philosophy called Confucianism has been the basis for centuries.
Confucianism incorporates 4 key aspects in the teaching and practice of medicine and they are to
1. Recognize that all patients should be treated equally.
2. Value the accomplishments of other individuals and comply with theoretical moral principles.
3. Uphold appropriate physician and patient relations.
4. Be with the emphasis being on reliability, adhere to traditional Chinese medical ethics.
This morality can be applied on the outside world and the forthcoming in order to meet the fast-paced developments in modern medicine.
