The first principle is “rectification of names.”
I remember only that phrase from a comparative religion
course in college. “Rectification,” some translator’s choice.
A good choice I think although the word is never used
in conversation, except once in a while by me.
Rectification resonates (now that’s a popular word these
days)
with me. At my age getting the words right is imperative.
I do not accept glib,
trendy, top-of-mind, depthless, knee jerk
use of important words: love, miracle, resonate, meditate,
ageing, caring, belief, grief, good, bad, honest,
transparent…
What media guru are they quoting now?
What do they mean by a “good book,” a “good movie,”
a “good life,” a “good death”? “Give me a break.”
And then there’s global warming, climate change,
apocalypse, angels, zombies, ghosts, aliens.
Add driverless cars, colonizing Mars.
What about the Big Bang or string theory?
Just what do we need to know? The first principle surely
is “rectification of names”--most nouns and quite a few
verbs,
in all languages. We need to know what we are talking about.
I believe that is the definition of rectification.
Kong Qiu (551 – 479 BCE) is most often known in Chinese as Kongzi or the honorific Kong Fuzi (both literally meaning "Master Kong"), Latinized as "Confucius" by 16th-century Jesuit missionaries in China, most probably by Matteo Ricci. Many years after is death aphorisms concerning his teachings were compiled in the Analects, and he is traditionally though probably incorrectly credited with writing or editing the "Five Classics" and other ancient philosophical texts. Before China was unified by the Qin dynasty in 221 BCE it was divided into a series of ducal states, including Lu in modern Shandong province. Confucius was a reform-minded administrator who rose to the position of Minister of Crime. One of his followers, Yang Hu, dominated the Lu government from 505 to 502 BCE before attempting to seize full power; his coup attempt narrowly failed, but thereafter Confucius began having his disciples appointed to important positions. Because he and his followers often put his principles above personal obedience, he was exiled in 497 BCE, After years of wandering throughout north-east and central China, developing his political beliefs but without seeing them implemented anywhere,. at 68 he was recalled and subsequently served as an unofficial advisor on matters of crime and governance, He also gathered 72 or 77 disciples, who began collecting and codifying his teachings.
ReplyDeleteConfucius believed that social disorder stemmed from the failure to perceive, understand, and deal with reality. His solution was the "rectification of names." As translated by James Legge, he explained this notion: "A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish. When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect." There are five basic relationships: ruler to subject, parent to child, husband to wife, elder brother to younger brother, and friend to friend. Righteous, considerate, kind, benevolent, and gentle treatment should be applied by the former to the latter, and this behavior would solve social problems and achieve harmonious government. The doctrine was expanded to cover questions of political legitimacy by his most influential follower, Meng Ke ("Mencius," 372 – 289 BCE), a pupil of Confucius' own grandson, Kong Ji (Zisi).
ReplyDeleteThe Daosits also adapted the idea; for example, Zhuangzi wrote, "Nets are for catching fish; after one gets the fish, one forgets the net. Traps are for catching rabbits; after one gets the rabbit, one forgets the trap. Words are for getting meaning; after one gets the meaning, one forgets the words. Where can I find people who have forgotten words, and have a word with them?"
When Qin Shi Huang unified China and established himself as its first emperor, he suppressed Confucian and other philosophies and promoted Legalism, which
emphasized strict obedience to the legal system and avoided, and questions such as the purpose and nature of life. But even the Legalists employed a modified notion of the rectification of names. According to Han Feizi,"The way to assume oneness starts from the study of terminology. When names are rectified, things will be settled... If (the ruler) does not show off his sagacity, the inferiors will reveal their earnestness and uprightness. He appoints them to office in accordance with their words, and thus lets them choose their tasks. He confers upon them powers in accordance with their needs and thus lets them raise their ranks. Thus, he rectifies their names first, then works with them, and finally makes them accomplish the tasks."
Thank you, Duane. I've read all this -- but quite some time ago. I am also influenced by Confucius' s commentary on the I Ching -- the "wisdom book" I must often refer to.
ReplyDeleteJune -- I assumed you know a lot more about the rectification of names than I do. I was just trying to add a little context to your poem, for the uninitiated. Please keep up the good work -- and feed the hungry maw that is duanespoetree
ReplyDeleteYou're so right. But if you use 'names' consciously instead of as trendy cliches or word-of-the-moment I think it's ok. Nonetheless, in essence you're absolutely right!
ReplyDeleteI like your earthiness and candidness (if it's candidness or candor I do not know). You see how subtle and important the use of word-cum-names is/are?
About reading sources: an essential in my Jewish Brooklyn lower-middle class mystical background would be "Self-Abandonment To Divine Providence" by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Gorgeous! Exquisite writing on a mono-subject. 'A page turner', as they say nowadays - except that you have to think hard over each pregnant paragraph. And of course, ye olde Upanishads. Perfect! Naturally, the I Ching, Richard Wilhelms translation and a little known translation by Nigel Richmond. Definitely not the ones by John Blofield or Alfred Douglas, or Legge. (Aren't I the pedant!).
ReplyDeleteThank you June Calendar.
About reading sources: an essential in my Jewish Brooklyn lower-middle class mystical background would be "Self-Abandonment To Divine Providence" by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Gorgeous! Exquisite writing on a mono-subject. 'A page turner', as they say nowadays - except that you have to think hard over each pregnant paragraph. And of course, ye olde Upanishads. Perfect! Naturally, the I Ching, Richard Wilhelms translation and a little known translation by Nigel Richmond. Definitely not the ones by John Blofield or Alfred Douglas, or Legge. (Aren't I the pedant!).
ReplyDeleteThank you June Calendar.
You're so right. But if you use 'names' consciously instead of as trendy cliches or word-of-the-moment I think it's ok. Nonetheless, in essence you're absolutely right!
ReplyDeleteI like your earthiness and candidness (if it's candidness or candor I do not know). You see how subtle and important the use of word-cum-names is/are?
Synchronicity: Just before I opened this, I'd taken out an old book of mine The Teachings Of The Compassionate Buddha for no reason whatsoever (price 1.95 Mentor 1955) and opened it at random - you know, the way one does. Then your ssay, reflection. Loved it. Again.
ReplyDelete