Confucian Self of Ren: A Conceptual Paradigm

• In Event: Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: International Perspectives on Moral Development and Education

Abstract

This study compares Western and Confucian concepts of ethics. It presents that Western ethics lays emphasis on human rights, freedom, human dignity and equality, whereas Confucian ethics stresses on communal harmony, social stability, and humanity. Confucian ethics assumes that human being’s innate nature (xing, 性) is essential goodness and its special focus in Confucian ethics is neither to satisfy human needs (e.g., food) nor to develop moral sense to judge the right and the wrong, but to aspire human being to be a sage (moral excellence or a man of ren) through self–cultivation. Based on Tu’s theoretical model of Confucian self, this study explores possible theoretical paradigm for Confucian self of ren.

Authors

• Hong Jiang, The University of Alabama

• Stephen J. Thoma, The University of Alabama