Universal Human Values in Kutadgu Bilig, Book of Rites (Confucius) and Tao Te Ching
AbstractHuman, as socialbeings have to interact with the people around them. The basis of these interactions are the mutual execution of rights and duties. Restricting and interfering with individuals’ rights causes deteriorations in the social fabric, specifically in relationships. Everyone is born with fundamental rights such as right to live, right to acquire goods and property, right to think, right to procreate etc. Behaviours that could endanger these fundamental rights have been prohibited by religions and social codes throughout the history. As well as the texts of divine religions stating the importance of protecting these principles, other religious beliefs also have similar statements in their texts and traditions. Whether it is based on revelation or not, all religions emphasize these universal values for constituting a strong and peaceful society. Religions use these values as a tool to educate people while aiming to protect the social structure and the harmony of affairs between individuals and social life. The religions preached by each prophet from Adam to Mohammed collectively aim the carrying out of these fundamental rights. People are educated to become individuals who respect one another through the universal values which were built on the protection of reason, religion, soul and lineage. While contributing to social unity and solidarity, these methods also pave the way for individuals’ personal maturity and self-improvement. There have been many works throughout history which put forth the virtuous person typology by highlighting universal values. Among these works, Confucius’ Book of Rites and Kutadgu Bilig by Yusuf Khas Hâjib particularly stand out with their messages on universal values and the way to a peaceful society. Together with these works which feature the cultural geography values of the East, Lao Tse's Tao Te Ching also puts forward the virtuous person typology as well as expressing opinions on what lies behind a virtuous society. The benefit and contentment of humanity is the basis for universal values such as righteousness, kindness, virtue etc. Such values, which Confucius and Lao Tzu are believed to have come by at the peak of their philosophical epiphanies, are also mentioned in Kutadgu Bilig in like manner. Correspondingly, the same values are broached in revelational divine texts.