The Ethic Relic Within the Trenches

In romano Erich Maria Remarque opere “Omnia Tranquilla in Fronte Occidentali,” actiones et decisiones Pauli ex philosophia Confucii aestimari possunt. Confucianismus est systema philosophicum et ethicum quod virtutum, ut compassionis, reverentiae et officii, importantiam subliniat. Per Confucianismum, Pauli actiones examinare et ethics eius decisionum aestimare possumus.

In pagina 110-111, Paulus scenam narrat in qua militem alleatum, qui e latibulo timore ac terrore effugit, persequebatur. Paulus se ipsum ad periculum exponit ut militem servet, sed priusquam Paulus efficaciter eum servare possit, is in fragmentis pellitur. Haec scena misericordiae ac vitae respectus, quae in Confucianismo sunt virtutum centrales, importantiam demonstrat. Confucius clementiae ac commiserationis erga alios, etiam inimicos, inessentiam ut partem essentialem morum docuit. In Analectis, Confucius ait, “Homo humanus numquam inhumanus est; homo iustus numquam iniustus est.” Neglegens vitam suam ut militem servet, Paulus vitam et clementiam demonstrat quae sunt necessariae ad intellegendum quomodo militem se sentiebat, nam voluit militem secundam occasionem dare antequam in medio crepitus telorum occideretur.

Praeterea, in pagina 194, Paulus aliam scenam narrat ubi tabacum in duas partes dividit et eum captivis Russicis dat. Hoc beneficentiae gestu dignitatem et valorem omnium hominum, quod est iterum valor centralis in Confucianismo, Paulus ostendit. Confucius importantiam tribuendi alios cum reverentia et dignitate, absque respectu ad gradum sociali vel positionem, subliniavit. In Analectis, Confucius ait, “Non magnitudo corporis, sed erectio animi ponderanda est.” Donando captivis Russicis tabacum et eos cum reverentia tractando, Paulus ostendit se valorem et dignitatem omnium hominum, absque respectu ad nationem aut gradum sociali, pendere. Ironia amplius est quod Russici hostes belli essent et Paulo subiecti putarentur. Tamen, Paulus Russicos non tamquam inferiores sui tractavit aut aspicit, sed intellexit eos esse homines similiter sibi ipsis et coactos esse pugnare in bello absque veris inimicis in Germanis militibus.

Praeterea, in pagina 220, Paulus scenam narrat ubi verbum “camerade” iteratim ad militem Gallicum alacriter dicit ut ei significet se eum adiuvare velle. Haec scena officii et fidelitatis, quae etiam valor centralis in Confucianismo sunt, importantiam demonstrat. Confucius importantiam suorum officiorum et obligationum erga alios, etiam ignotos et inimicos, subliniavit. In Analectis, Confucius ait, “Quod scis, id scire te confirmet; quod nescis, id nescire te confirmet – hoc est sapientia.” Paulus, conatus adiuvare militem Gallicum et officium suum ad alios adimplens, ostendit se esse virum responsabilem et virtutis plenum, etiam in medio belli et conflictus.

Quo in fine, Pauli actiones et decisiones in “Omnia Tranquilla in Fronte Occidentali” per prisma philosophiae Confucii aestimantes, valorum tales ut compassio, commiseratio, reverentia dignitatis humanae, officium et fidelitas importantiam elucent. Per actiones suas, utile est Paulus demonstrat haec valores et docet etiam in medio belli et conflictus posse cum compassion et commiseratione erga alios agere officia sua adimplens. Haec valores essentiales sunt ad promovendam iustitiam et pacem in societate, et Confucianismus habet structuram utilem ad intellegendum et aestimandum ethics Pauli actionum in opere.

In conclusione, per aestimationem actionum et decisionum Pauli in “Omnia Tranquilla in Fronte Occidentali” per prisma philosophiae Confucii, subliniatur importantia valorum tales ut compassio, commiseratio, reverentia dignitatis humanae, officium et fidelitas. Per actiones suas, utile est Paulus demonstrat haec valores et docet etiam in medio belli et conflictus posse cum compassion et commiseratione erga alios agere officia sua adimplens. Haec valores essentiales sunt ad promovendam iustitiam et pacem in societate, et Confucianismus habet structuram utilem ad intellegendum et aestimandum ethics Pauli actionum in opere.

English version:

In Erich Maria Remarque’s novel “All Quiet on the Western Front,” the character Paul’s actions and decisions can be evaluated through the lens of Confucian philosophy. Confucianism is a philosophical and ethical system that emphasizes the importance of virtues such as compassion, respect, and duty. Through Confucianism, we can analyze Paul’s actions and evaluate the ethics of his decisions.

On pages 110-111, Paul narrates a scene where he chases after an allied recruit who ran out of the hideout in fear and panic. Paul is then shown to risk his own life in order to save the recruit, but he is blown to pieces before Paul is able to successfully rescue the recruit. This scene demonstrates the importance of compassion and respect for life, which are central values in Confucianism. Confucius emphasized the importance of compassion and empathy towards others, including enemies, as an essential aspect of morality. In the Analects, Confucius says, “The man of humanity is never inhumane; the man of righteousness is never unrighteous.” By risking his life in order to save the recruit’s life, Paul displays his value of life and the compassion required to understand how the soldier was feeling, as he wanted to give the soldier a second chance before he got killed in the middle of the crossfire.

Moreover, on page 194, Paul narrates another scene where he breaks his cigarettes in half and gives them to Russian prisoners of war. This act of kindness demonstrates Paul’s respect for the dignity and worth of all human beings, which is another central value in Confucianism. Confucius emphasized the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, regardless of their social status or position. In the Analects, Confucius says, “It does not matter how tall you are, but how well you stand tall among men.” By giving the Russian prisoners cigarettes and treating them with respect, Paul shows that he values the worth and dignity of all human beings, regardless of their nationality or social status. Even more ironic is the fact that the Russians were supposed to be the enemies of the war and that they were all supposed to be beneath Paul. However, Paul didn’t treat or view the Russians as if they were inferior compared to him, and he realized that they were humans just like himself and that they were forced to fight in the war while having no real enemies in the German soldiers.

Furthermore, on page 220, Paul narrates a scene where he repeats the word “camerade” eagerly to a French soldier to make him understand that he wants to help him. This scene demonstrates the importance of duty and loyalty, which are also central values in Confucianism. Confucius emphasized the importance of fulfilling one’s duties and obligations towards others, including strangers and enemies. In the Analects, Confucius says, “When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it – this is knowledge.” By trying to help the French soldier and fulfilling his duty to help others, Paul shows that he is a responsible and virtuous person, even in the midst of war and conflict.

In conclusion, evaluating Paul’s actions and decisions in “All Quiet on the Western Front” through the lens of Confucian philosophy highlights the importance of values such as compassion, empathy, respect for human dignity, duty, and loyalty. Through his actions of choosing to rescue the fleeing recruit, giving cigarettes to the Russian prisoners, and trying to help the French soldier, Paul demonstrates these values and shows that even in the midst of war and conflict, it is possible to act with compassion and empathy towards others while fulfilling one’s duties and obligations. These values are essential for promoting a just and peaceful society, and Confucianism provides a valuable framework for understanding and evaluating the ethics of Paul’s actions in the novel.

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