An+Imperial+Edict+Restraining+Officials+Questions

//1st entry// 1. On what philosophical assumptions are the Hongwu emperor’s words and actions based? - I think he is assuming that if all these people keep on doing the bad things they’re doing such as using money for greed and ignoring false charges, then it will lead to a disaster and a fall in the empire. If people are not punished for their wrongdoings, they will end up causing corruption in the empire which can eventually lead to a decline.

2. Do you think that his actions will solve the problems he refers to? Why or why not? - I’m not certain that his actions will solve the problems he refers to because there will always be people that take money for greed and there will always be unjust situations like a person ignoring false charges. No matter how many punishments the emperor inflicts, there will still be people like that so I think it will not really solve the problems.

//2nd entry// 1. Does the emperor’s approach to solving the problem of evil behavior in this excerpt differ from that in the first? If so, how? - In this first passage, he says that he will inflict punishments in order to solve problems of evil behavior. In this excerpt he says he will just refrain from such things that cause him temptation in order to live an upright life.

2. On what philosophical assumptions are Hongwu’s words here based? Think Chinese philosophy. - A major Chinese philosophy is confucianism and that is all about morals and doing the right thing. He is basing his words on moral behavior and doing the right thing, avoiding things that are not really important in life even if it is tempting.

3. As an official, what would be your reaction to the emperor’s admonitions? - I would support his admonitions and try my best to live every day in the way he wants the people to. I would try to refrain from things that aren’t morally upright. Although at times it would be hard, I would try my best to do so and try to make other people do the same.

4. The emperor clearly holds himself up as a model of self-restraint for his officials to emulate. As an official, how would you take this? - I would also try to be a role model because as an official, I am supposed to be following the path of the emperor and if he wants to be a role model, then his officials should also be role models because the more role models there are, it is easier to influence the minds of the common people.

5. Would your reaction be changed if you suddenly learned that the Hongwu emperor had dozens of concubines and consorts, with whom he fathered twenty-six sons and sixteen daughters? - I would also try to be a role model because as an official, I am supposed to be following the path of the emperor and if he wants to be a role model, then his officials should also be role models because the more role models there are, it is easier to influence the minds of the common people.