Between Confucianism and Islam: The Comparison in the Concept of Man and its Relations to Sustainable Development Agenda

Abstract

This paper is concerned with Confucianism and Islamic ideas in the concept of man. An effort has been made to compare these two great civilizations in order to find out four relations which between human being and nature; human being and humanized nature (society); human being and other human; human being and himself in order to boost sustainable development which constitutes an important aspect of the great commonness which they are sharing. The study undertaken here comparison between Confucianism and Islamic ideas under the concept of man — will deal with some basic doctrines in Confucianism and Islam such as the sayings of the Analects, the Quran and the Hadith. The attempt is made to see what kind of ideas of the concept of man in these two civilizations is eager to build a great moral character from inside out of human. Also it shows us how these ideas helped two civilizations leading their society to the prosperity in the ancient time and today. Human being’s power could have good effect to lead the society into a sustainable development; also it could have dangerous effect which we can find out from the present reality. The current natural and social warnings keep telling us that human being’s incorrect behaviors has put the whole society into the edge of survival crisis. Comparing to our ancestors, we may have advanced technology, but they had more balanced and harmony society for their people. It is time for us to learn what they looked at human being in their mind and what they expect human for a sustainable society. In addition to this great commonness between them, Confucianism and Islamic ideas of the concept of man also offers the great spiritual power which people desperately need it today.

Keywords: the concept of man, sustainable development, Confucianism, Islam