The Conscience Justice Theory in Chinese Traditional Culture

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Abstract

This paper reconstructs and critically evaluates Conscience Justice Theory, a justice framework rooted in Confucian and Neo-Confucian philosophy. It demonstrates that this tradition articulates a coherent, morally grounded theory of justice centered on the cultivation and application of innate moral conscience (liangzhi 良知), relational harmony (he 和), and contextual appropriateness (yi 義). Rather than relying on rights, laws, or utility, this theory begins with the premise of innate human goodness and moral self-cultivation aligned with cosmic order. Education, as a vehicle for awakening and shaping moral insight, plays a central role in this vision.

Author

• WEI GAO, QuFu Normal University