World confucianism: self-transformation of confucianism in construction of a new world cultural order

Abstract

World Confucianism is not something that exists in a fixed form, rather it has been undergoing reform and transformation. This involves the understanding of Confucianism. The core structure of Confucian concepts is “ren (benevolence) → yi (justice) → li (rite) → yue (music)”. The “ren” (仁) (benevolence) means a spirit of kindheartedness, charity or love that is evidently an universal idea that does not have to be reformed. The “yi” (義) (justice) means the principle of justice. There are two principles of social justice. One is the principle of righteousness that requires that the construction of social norms and the arrangement of their institutions are motivated by transcending the graded love and seeking the benevolence of equal treatment for all. Another is the principle of appropriateness, which requires that social norms and their institutions are well adapted to a community’s common way of life. The two principles apparently also are universal ideas that do not need reform. The “li” (禮) (rite) means social norms and their institutions. On the one hand, every society needs norms and institutions, so Confucius asked people to “restrain oneself and comply with rites/propriety”. On the other hand, no norm and institution of any specific and particular society has lasting or eternal value, so Confucius pointed out that “rites could be decreased and increased”. What should be first reformed and transformed are the “rites” in Confucianism. The “yue” (樂) (music) means the forms of social harmony on the basis of the rites. On the one hand, the pursuit of harmony should be every social community’s need. On the other hand, since music is based on the rites, there are different forms of social harmony in different lifestyles. Therefore, the forms of the “music” or social harmony also need to change. The above theoretical system should be the essential content of world Confucianism. As a whole, the system of theory is obviously of universal significance, and therefore is very important resource of thought for constructing the new world cultural order.