Classical Confucian political thought : a new interpretation
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Bibliographic Information
Classical Confucian political thought : a new interpretation
Princeton University Press, c2015
- : hardcover
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. [197]-205) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
The intellectual legacy of Confucianism has loomed large in efforts to understand China's past, present, and future. While Confucian ethics has been thoroughly explored, the question remains: what exactly is Confucian political thought? Classical Confucian Political Thought returns to the classical texts of the Confucian tradition to answer this vital question. Showing how Confucian ethics and politics diverge, Loubna El Amine argues that Confucian political thought is not a direct application of Confucian moral philosophy. Instead, contrary to the conventional view that Confucian rule aims to instill virtue in all members of society, El Amine demonstrates that its main aim is to promote political order. El Amine analyzes key aspects of the Confucian political vision, including the relationship between the ruler and the people, the typology of rulers, and the role of ministers and government officials. She also looks at Confucianism's account of the mechanisms through which society is to be regulated, from welfare policies to rituals.
She explains that the Confucian conception of the political leaves space open for the rule of those who are not virtuous if these rulers establish and maintain political order. She also contends that Confucians defend the duty to take part in government based on the benefits that such participation can bring to society. Classical Confucian Political Thought brings a new understanding to Confucian political theory by illustrating that it is not chiefly idealistic and centered on virtue, but rather realistic and driven by political concerns.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ix Note on Translations and Transliterations xi Prologue 1 * Ethics and Politics in Classical Confucianism 2 * The Thesis of This Book 9 * Historical Background 16 * Chapter Outline 26 Chapter 1. Ruler and Ruled 29 * The Virtue Argument 30 * The People-Continued 37 * Hegemons 51 * Conclusion 61 Chapter 2. Rules and Regulations 62 * Security 63 * Welfare 68 * Promoting the Worthy 73 * Conclusion 80 Chapter 3. A Harmonious Society 82 * The Case against the Mohists 84 * Rituals 91 * Filiality 107 * Conclusion 114 Chapter 4. Rulers and Ministers 117 * Xunzi's Vision 118 * Insubordinate Ministers 124 * Revisiting the Question of Virtuous Rulership 135 * Conclusion 140 Chapter 5. Political Involvement 143 * Biographical Preliminaries 144 * The Virtue of Political Involvement 145 * Dilemmas of Political Life 151 * Conclusion 174 Chapter 6. Heaven in Politics 176 * Heaven's Allotments 180 * Uncertainty and Political Involvement 184 * Heaven's Patterns 190 * Conclusion 193 Epilogue 194 Bibliography 197 Index 207
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