Description
Book SynopsisAs a living and evolving tradition, Confucianism has been continuously defined and redefined in response to the changing political and social context of China''s history. Extending this effort in reconstructing Confucianism, philosopher Chenyang Li critically analyzes and develops a series of core ideas that originated from classic Confucian texts and does so in the context of contemporary scholarly discourse. These core ideas include he (dynamic harmony), ren (care-centered virtue), li (ritual propriety), xiao (filial care), bie (gender equilibrium), you (friendship), shou (longevity), sheng (sagehood), ziyou (freedom), ping (equality), zheng (politics), and jiao (civic education). Li combines in-depth analysis of historical teachings with systematic deliberation on their contemporary significance, reflecting the current state of the field of research. Each chapter shows how seminal ideas in Confucianism were conceived and developed by ancient thinkers and how these ideas can be recon
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction: Progressive Confucianism I. Foundational Concepts Chapter 1: Dynamic Harmony Chapter 2: Care-Centered Virtue Chapter 3: Ritual as Cultural Grammar II. Self and Others Chapter 4: Filial Care Chapter 5: Differentiated Gender Equilibrium Chapter 6: Friendship Chapter 7: Virtuous Life and Longevity Interlude: Chapter 8: Can Sages be Wrong? III. Socio-Political Reconstructions Chapter 9: Freedom through Choosing Chapter 10: Two Forms of Equality Chapter 11: Kingliness without Kings Chapter 12: Education for Humanity References Index
