Thinkers have affected the society in many positive ways. However, one of the significant ways that have made thinkers popular is their contribution to societal concerns and the nature of human life. Based on Ebrey’s writings, bad governance was rampant in the society, and ignorance made the people support it fully. As a result, the author quoted that ‘those who use knowledge to govern the country are a plague on the country. Those who do not use knowledge to rule are the country’s blessing’ (Ebrey, “Daiost Teachings,” p. 29).
On the other hand, early Chinese thinkers were interested in making the society a better place. The view is clear as written by Ebrey in the Daiost teachings. One of the views that make it clear that thinkers were out to teach the human race quotes that ‘the highest good is like water. Water benefits all creatures but does not compete’ (Ebrey, “Daiost Teachings,” p. 28) From the observation quoted, it is clear that the thinkers were out to educate the people. In addition, they advised on what opportunities are good for exploration and how to fit in the society without straining.
In a society, human beings need to live with each other in a good and trouble-free way. According to Daiost teachings, ‘if a man can practice five things in the world, he is a man of humanity’ (Ebrey, “Confucian Teachings,” p. 19). The five things include ‘reverence, generosity, truthfulness, diligence and kindness’ (Ebrey, “Confucian Teachings,” p. 19). As a result, the thinkers wanted to make sure that the society is a better place by advising the human race on how to live according to expectations. However, the thinkers expressed their concerns mostly through the writings.
Most of the intellectual content in the Chinese society originates from earlier thinkers. Despite the fact that their works are ancient, they still hold a place in the society and are taught to the current generation. However, there are central concerns identified as having been addressed by the thinkers. To start with, the early Chinese thinkers stressed about humanity and how human beings should behave to one another. For example, Confucius once said ‘a person with honeyed words and pious gestures is seldom a man of humanity’ (Ebrey, “Confucian Teachings,” p. 20). As a result, he put across a clear message through the quotation and showed that humanity is vital in the society.
Governance and leadership qualify as other central concerns for early Chinese thinkers, and they wrote a lot about the issues. For example, the Master noted that ‘lead them by means of virtue and regulate them through rituals, and they will have a sense of shame and moreover have standards’ (Ebrey, “Confucian Teachings,” p. 21). However, this is not the only philosophical extract that talks about governance but the thinker has written a lot of intellectual and profound knowledge on the issues as a way of ensuring that the society is properly alerted.
From the Daiost teachings, early Chinese thinkers emphasized the reason human beings compete and its impact on the society. For example, Ebrey wrote that ‘do not honor the worthy, and people will not compete’ (Ebrey, “Daiost Teachings,” p. 28). The thinker communicated to the people that they were making the world a bad place through their actions. If they change and do things according to the advice presented to them, the world will be a good and fair place. As a conclusion, the central concerns of early Chinese thinkers revolved around creating a better world.