The “Superior Man”

Jose Betancourt

World History

Dr. Andrews

10/11/12

                                                The “Superior Man”

            It is precisely the idea that man is above all and above many other created creatures that makes one wonder. The wonder that I talk about is where did that idea of been more or superior than other creatures come from.  In the reading about the “superior man” one sees another kind of idea of what a great man would do. The superior man in the writings about the superior man is a person who holds virtues and practices them above all. “The superior man in everything considers righteousness to be essential. He performs it according to the rules of propriety. He brings it forth in humility. He competes it with sincerity”(The Analects of Confucius. XV.17). A man who is superior exalts his righteousness, he looks to be virtues and rise above all that could be egotistic. “The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions”(XIV.29). IT is clear that the west and east have different conceptions of what the superior man is or should be.

            One other truth about the east and their idea about the superior man enlightened me when I read a piece of Confucius work. The superior man according to Confucius is also that one who does not really want power or to get known for what he does. He rather work to improve his life just for that fact that it is virtuous to do good for ones own life. “The superior man is distressed by his ability. He is not distressed by men knowing of him”(XV.18).  IN this case one could clearly see that the virtuous man is simple that who tried to become good for the sake of been good, and becomes righteous because doing the right thing is the ultimate goal of ones life. Therefore the superior man is that who encompasses all those characteristics.