If a Confucian sage, who rejects speculation about the afterlife, were judged by Christian standards and sent to hell, how would his commitment to compassion and reciprocity shape his existence there? Would virtue transform hell into something livable, or would hell transform virtue?
-
Hi guest! As you can see, the new Wizard Forums has been revived, and we are glad to have you visiting our site! However, it would be really helpful, both to you and us, if you registered on our website! Registering allows you to see all posts, and make posts yourself, which would be great if you could share your knowledge and opinions with us! You could also make posts to ask questions!
Confucian Virtue in a Christian Hell: Can Ethics Redeem Suffering?
I could think of a lot of different scenarios for this. This is a fun thought expierment.
First the Sage could respond with compassion towards the demons hurting him and they might hurt him less. The only problem. If there are other people down there which unless Christian hell is so horrifying that it also function as solitary confinement besides the people there then other might get jealous.
I'm kind of imagining it like jail. If a Sage gets sent to jail and treats the guards with kindness and others kindness then they might get more popular there. The only problem people there could get jealous of that and then Sage has to work overtime compassion to the people there and be neutral to the guards to not breed too much resentment. At risk of own personal safety. But if the Sage keeps at it it could become atleast bearable for a time being.
Second way this could go is the Sage learns of this and just doesn't accept this. Speaks to the manager of Hell and thinks the whole system is rigged because if people are judged by Christian standards then anyone not a part of Christian culture is not is basically handicapped when judged.
If the Sage gets enough people then could create a Magna Carta type situation. The Magna Carta was made because people in the west were sick of king John so they made themselves (the people with land) have rights. He could argue for himself and others or just himself. But with others it would be better because one lonely at the top and two more chance for sucess.
There's a third thing he could do and just not say anything. Just live in Christian Hell and learn the best ways to be moral there it might not do much but the sign says Abandon all hope all ye who enter if using Dantes inferno as jumping off point. So could just accept where your at. But its still Hell that might not do much in the long run.
Interesting food for thought. Someone compassionate ends up in Hell due to circumstances could be an interesting TV show. Maybe it would be like Orange is the New Black. It was kind of explored in the Good Place but the Good Place never got to dark so started in the definition of a mid afterlife then just climbed up.
It was a sitcom so couldn't get too dark.
First the Sage could respond with compassion towards the demons hurting him and they might hurt him less. The only problem. If there are other people down there which unless Christian hell is so horrifying that it also function as solitary confinement besides the people there then other might get jealous.
I'm kind of imagining it like jail. If a Sage gets sent to jail and treats the guards with kindness and others kindness then they might get more popular there. The only problem people there could get jealous of that and then Sage has to work overtime compassion to the people there and be neutral to the guards to not breed too much resentment. At risk of own personal safety. But if the Sage keeps at it it could become atleast bearable for a time being.
Second way this could go is the Sage learns of this and just doesn't accept this. Speaks to the manager of Hell and thinks the whole system is rigged because if people are judged by Christian standards then anyone not a part of Christian culture is not is basically handicapped when judged.
If the Sage gets enough people then could create a Magna Carta type situation. The Magna Carta was made because people in the west were sick of king John so they made themselves (the people with land) have rights. He could argue for himself and others or just himself. But with others it would be better because one lonely at the top and two more chance for sucess.
There's a third thing he could do and just not say anything. Just live in Christian Hell and learn the best ways to be moral there it might not do much but the sign says Abandon all hope all ye who enter if using Dantes inferno as jumping off point. So could just accept where your at. But its still Hell that might not do much in the long run.
Interesting food for thought. Someone compassionate ends up in Hell due to circumstances could be an interesting TV show. Maybe it would be like Orange is the New Black. It was kind of explored in the Good Place but the Good Place never got to dark so started in the definition of a mid afterlife then just climbed up.
It was a sitcom so couldn't get too dark.