Exploring wisdom in the Confucian tradition: Wisdom as manifested by Fan Zhongyan

Abstract

Abstract Exploring the wisdom manifested in the world's great traditions can enhance our understanding of significant human strivings to live a meaningful and satisfying life and, at the same time, to help other people live better lives. This study focuses on Confucianism, which emphasizes self-cultivation and humaneness, and explores the wisdom manifested by Fan Zhongyan (989–1052), a Confucian scholar-official in Song-dynasty China and a model for Chinese intellectuals subsequently. Wisdom is defined as a process involving cognitive integration, embodying actions, and resulting positive effects for oneself and others. The study shows that Fan generated positive effects for himself and others through multiple efforts to embody his integrated idea,—being “the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to take pleasure in its happiness.” I also discuss a synergistic relationship between the manifestation of wisdom and the development of Confucianism, which may have implications for other great traditions as well.