According to Confucian philosophy, human beings are social beings; interactions between humans are inevitable, and possibly “delineative of the natural order of the universe”1. In order for a society to function properly, reciprocity and/or mutual responsibilities between the two parties of the relationship must be fulfilled. Practical society is built up from the family unit sequentially to the entire civilization. Relationships within a family are especially important in Confucian philosophy since families are the basic social units of society2. It is within the family that the individuals fully achieve their human potential3. To Confucius, the purpose of an ordered family is to serve the greater deed in society, one can not exist without the other: “To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order…”4 The media of North America often portrays and reflects upon the average American family, long-running television show “The Simpsons” is an example. The Simpson family may not be as competent as Confucius would hope, but ultimately serves the fundamental purpose of a family. The Simpsons is a vivid reflection of the functional American family according to Confucian philosophy as seen through supportive relationships within the family unit.
The parent/child relationship is ultimately the virtue of Confucian philosophy5. Parents serve important role in this relationship because they are the fundamental support of a family. Homer and Marge step into the role of the parent fittingly. Marge fulfills her role as a mother almost too perfectly. She sets a good example for her children by being honest, brave and benevolent. She cares for her children both physically and emotionally. She is always available to Bart and Lisa whenever they want to talk to her, supports her children when they need her, all the while not forgetting to pack their favourite lunch. Marge speaks the truth when she says: “The only thing I’m high on is love; love for my son and daughters.6”7. Marge takes care of her children because in doing so, she is able to contribute to the good of the family which brings her happiness in return.8 Homer, on the other hand, is a different story. Homer is selfish enough to sometimes put his own interest above that of his children; with contrast to Marge, he often provides vulgar examples for Bart and Lisa. His impulsiveness often leads to child-abuse (habitually strangling Bart). Countless times, however, Homer learns his lesson and corrects these mistakes eventually. At the end of the day, he is able to step up to his role, or at least attempt to. Homer could have chosen to work at the bowling alley which he loved, but instead he is willing to sacrifice that and work at a nuclear plant that he hated in order to provide for the family9. Homer was able to set aside his selfish desires for the sake of Lisa; such examples include when he cuts off the cable cord which he stole10, getting a second job to help Lisa buy a pony 11, and in order to help Lisa with her self-esteem, he ultimately sacrificing his Duff Blimp ride ticket to enter Lisa in a beauty pageant 12. To Bart, he may not set the best example, but often with some help and inspiration, he can live up to the role. With the help of Marge, Homer teaches Bart to treat women with respect13. Homer is also able to carry out punishment effectively for the sake of his children. In “Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie”14 he penalizes Bart for being irresponsible, which ultimately leads to amazing result, as Bart eventually becomes Chief Justice of the Supreme court. At the end of the day, Homer manages to pull his weight and care for his children. Homer is always there for his children; he may not be a great father, but at least he tries. As Confucius says:“Everyone speaks up for his own son whether he is sophisticated or not…”15. No matter how badly a child behaves, a parent’s love should be unconditional; thus emphasizes the immiscible strength of the relationship between parents and children.
While it is the duty of the parent to take care of the child, it is also the responsibility of the child to serve and respect the parent. Confucius uses the term “filial piety” to describe the essence of the role of the children, which consists of obedience, respect and loyalty. 16 Confucius suggests that children should “devote all strength to serving parents”17. The Simpsons children do their best to care for and stand by their parents. Lisa helps her parents with innumerable things in life; she respects them as a parent figures and aids them with her intelligence. Even Maggie, the silent toddler, doubtlessly rescues her father from a mafia showdown.18 Confucius said that “few indeed are those who are naturally filial towards their parents and dutiful towards their elder brothers but are fond of opposing their superiors; and it never happens that those who do not like opposing their superiors are fond of creating civil disorder.”19 This can be reflected within Bart, who often causes trouble for his parents with his misbehaviour. However Bart compensates by standing up for his parents when needed. Bart cares for Marge countless times. He offers to hang out with Marge when everyone else rejects her20 and he willingly sacrifices his life in “Earthland Realms” for her21. To the public, the Simpsons’ way (especially Homer’s) of raising children may not be very pleasing22, but despite being accused of dysfunctional, The Simpsons fulfill the Confucian parent children relationship. Homer and Marge are dearly attached to Bart, Lisa and Maggie, and vise versa. The bond between parents and children promotes a healthy environment in the family, as Confucius states: “The gentleman concerns himself with the root; and if the root is firmly planted, the Way grows. Filial piety and fraternal duty--surely they are the roots of humaneness.”23 At the end of the day, the family reunites as one.
According to Confucius, the wife is expected to serve the husband while the husband is expected to provide for the wife.24 In modern Confucianism, mutual understanding and respect between the husband and the wife is valued. The relationship of the husband and wife is very important in that it is the basic unit that often provides the foundation for a family. Homer and Marge work out quite well; they are able to compromise with each other. Marge is able to sacrifice her ambitions and dreams for Homer, such as being in an elitist social circle25 and becoming a bodybuilding champion26. Homer often lies to Marge due to his selfishness, but at the end of the day, he is there for her. He leaves his newlywed wife determined to find a job in order to provide for her 27. He claims Marge as his soul mate28 and aids her whenever he has time. Although sometimes Homer’s help is not very efficient, such as when helping Marge’s pretzel business by asking the mafia for assistance29, but at least he tries. Homer and Marge share love, mutual respect and affection, which is highly valued by Confucius, as he stated that “…the superior man [or woman -- the soul is sexless] commences with respect as the basis of love. To omit respect is to leave no foundation for affection. Without love there can be no union; without respect the love will be ignoble”30. Homer and Marge fulfill the Confucian philosophy of husband and wife because of their love for each other and their willingness to make sacrifices and compromises for each other.
In Confucian philosophy, a younger sibling is expected to treat the older sibling with dignity and respect, while the older sibling cares for the young with generosity and benevolence31. In modern Confucianism, both parties are expected to treat the other with mutual values and morals mentioned above. When FanCh’ih, a disciple of Confucius asks about compassion, Confucius replies: “Love your brothers”32. Bart and Lisa’s relationship is especially fitting in the Confucius philosophy as they cherish and care for each other. In the episode “Lisa on Ice33”, Bart and Lisa experienced a typical case of sibling rivalry when their teams play against each other at a hockey game. In the climax of the face off the siblings throw away their hockey equipment and declare a truce, as they remember the love and bond they share. Poignant flashbacks appear, including when Lisa puts a bandage on Bart when he falls and Bart giving Lisa his ice cream when she drops hers. These flashbacks, along with the hockey game, indicate that the siblings share mutual love and respect for each other. Another case of sibling rivalry happens between Lisa and Maggie in “Smart and Smarter34”. Maggie succeeds on an IQ test and is deemed to be smarter than Lisa. Lisa runs away from home in fear of ruining Maggie’s future due to jealousy. A series of incidents causes Bart, Marge and Homer to struggle for their lives when only Maggie can save them. Lisa overcomes her insecurity and advises Maggie on how to save the family. In the end, viewers find out that Maggie only succeeded on the IQ test because Lisa was unconsciously giving her hints. Lisa’s act of unconsciously helping Maggie indicates that she is willing to nurture Maggie generously, while Maggie respects Lisa as an older sister, listening to Lisa’s instructions and saves their parents. Climactically, Bart, Lisa and Maggie are able to accomplish a healthy sibling relationship by loving and respecting each other. The bond shared between the siblings strengthens the unity of the family and according to Confucius, is very beneficial to the development of righteous personal morals: “Filial piety and fraternal duty--surely they are the roots of humaneness.” 35
The Simpsons is a vivid reflection of the struggling dysfunctional American family that just manages to serve its purpose. With reference to Confucian philosophy, purposeful relationships within a family offer a benevolence state of mind to its members. Proper interactions between human beings ultimately result in a functional society. The family is the natural environment for moral training and the bridge between the individual and society36. As Confucius says: “when a gentleman cherishes his family, they are inspired towards compassion”37. The utopian society would be a collage of the perfect individuals in an orderly society based on mutual moral obligations of human relationships38. The Simpson family may not be as competent as it can be, but is able to cope and serve the fundamental purpose in a functional society.
End Notes
1. "Confucian Thoughts." Columbia University - Asia for Educatiors. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/china/philo/confuc.htm#Religious%20Life>.
2. Ibid.
3. Thomas Hoobler, and Dorothy Hoobler . Confucianism . New York: Facts On File, 2004., 10
4. "LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
5. "Confucian Thoughts." Columbia University - Asia for Educatiors. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/china/philo/confuc.htm#Religious%20Life>.
6. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Home Sweet Home-Diddily-Dum-Doodily)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
7. William Irwin, Mark T. Conard, and Aeon J. Skoble. The Simpsons and Philosophy. N.p.: Open Court, 2002. , 52
8. Ibid.
9. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (And Maggie Makes Three)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
10. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment)” TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.,
11. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Lisa’s Pony)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
12. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Lisa the Beauty Queen)”TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
13. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Homer’s Night Out)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
14. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
15. "LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
16. Rodney L. Taylor, Confucianism. N.p.: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004., 77
17. "LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
18. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Papa’s Got a Brand New Badge)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
19. "LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
20. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Marge’s Son Poisoning)” TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
21. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Marge Gamer)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
22. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Home Sweet Home-Diddily-Dum-Doodily)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
23. "LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
24. Taylor, Rodney L. Confucianism. N.p.: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004., 77
25 "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
26. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Strong Arms of the Ma)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
27. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (I Married Marge)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
28. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
29. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (The Twisted World of Marge Simpson)” TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
30. LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
31. Rodney L. Taylor, Confucianism. N.p.: Chelsea House Publishers, 2004., 77
32. LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
33. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Lisa On Ice)" TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007
<http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
34. "The Simpsons Episode Guide. (Smart and Smarter)” TheSimpsons. 1 Dec. 2007 <http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/>.
35. LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
36. Thomas Hoobler, and Dorothy Hoobler. Confucianism . New York: Facts On File, 2004., 10
37. The Encyclopedia of PHilosophy Volume 1 and 2. N.p.: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996., 298
38. LunYu (Analect)." Confucius Publishing Multi-Language. 27 Mar. 2008
<http://www.confucius.org/lunyu/langz.htm>.
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