The Unity of Rule and Virtue: A Critique of a Supposed Parallel Between Confucian Ethics and Virtue EthicsIn the past few decades, philosophical and theological writings reveal a marked revival of interest in virtue ethics. Against the background of the revival of virtue ethics in the West, some philosophers argue that throughout its long history, Confucian ethics have stressed character formation or personal cultivation of virtues. Thus, it seems appropriate to characterise Confucian ethics as ethics of virtue. However, although Confucian ethics share some similarities with virtue ethics, it is not correct to label Confucian ethics as virtue ethics in the strict sense. In this book, the author attempts to critique the apparent similarity and show, on the contrary, that Confucian ethics are better conceived of as a unique kind of ethics, in which rule-based morality and virtues are united. Through a unique analysis of Confucian ethics and comparison between Confucian ethics and some Western ethical theories, the author also hopes to generate suggestions and ideas on how to integrate or unify rule and virtue in one moral theory. READERSHIP: Academics, university students and those interested in the study of philosophy and ethical systems. |
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According to Confucianism According to Mencius act in accordance Alasdair Alasdair MacIntyre Analects ancient argues Aristotle become Book of Mencius Chan Chinese Philosophy Classics concept Confucian ethics Confucius Daoists deontology distinctive emphasis ethical theory ethical virtue ethics of virtue example feelings function harmony heart/mind Heaven and Earth human nature Ibid ideal important junzi Kant Kant's Laozi learning means modern moral philosophy moral actions moral character moral cultivation moral evaluation moral practice moral principles moral rules moral theories moral virtues Mou Zongsan Mozi one's oneself particular person Philosophy East practical wisdom rational reason relation relationship revival of virtue righteousness ritual principles rule and virtue rule ethics rule-based rules of propriety sage self-cultivation sense sincere situations social society Statman things thinking tradition trans translation Tu Wei-ming understanding of dao unity University Press virtue ethics virtuous Wing-tsit Chan xing Xunzi Zuozhuan