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Confucian “Humanity” (ren 仁) as a Resource for a Global Ethics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Chun-chieh Huang*
Affiliation:
National Taiwan University
*
Chun-chieh Huang, National Taiwan University, 2F-2, No. 88, Sec. 3, Xinsheng S. Rd., Taipei City, 106. Email: chun_chieh_huang@hotmail.com

Abstract

This article argues that the core value of “humanity” (ren 仁) in the Confucian tradition may serve as a resource for global ethics in the 21st century. After presenting three major questions raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, it proposes a “reconciliation” between Confucian and Western traditions for a solution to the challenges of the pandemic. Confucian “humanity”, based on the idea of interpenetration between what is inside and what is outside, may pave the way to a true “reconciliation” in our era.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICPHS 2022

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