The concept of paradigmatic individuals in the ethics of Confucius

Abstract

This essay deals with one basic feature of Confucian ethics as an ethics of flexibility by way of examining Confucius's concept of paradigmatic individuals (chun‐tzu). Part I attempts a critical reconstruction and assessment of this concept. Part II takes up a feature of the account of chun‐tzu in terms of the problem of rules and exceptions. It is suggested that the problem is best dealt with by making a distinction between normal and exigent moral situations — a distinction that appears to be implicit in the Confucian doctrine of ching‐ch'uan. Viewed in this light, the flexible character of Confucian ethics can be seen to have an important bearing on a problem in moral philosophy.