Confucian propriety without inequality: A Daoist (and feminist) re-construction

This work is a thought experiment in re-interpreting the virtue of li or ritual/propriety for the contemporary, multi-cultural, world. Using Zhuangzi, the Lunyu, and Zhongyong as my primary points of departure, I re-interpret the Confucian ideas of hierarchy in terms of the Daoist conception of harm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAsian philosophy Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 235 - 250
Main Author Tan, Christine Abigail Lee
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 02.07.2024
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Confucian harmony
Confucianism
Daoism
Feminism
feminist values
Inequality
Multiculturalism & pluralism
Ontology
relational ontology
Taoism
Zhuangzi
Zhuangzi (369?-286? BC)
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Summary:This work is a thought experiment in re-interpreting the virtue of li or ritual/propriety for the contemporary, multi-cultural, world. Using Zhuangzi, the Lunyu, and Zhongyong as my primary points of departure, I re-interpret the Confucian ideas of hierarchy in terms of the Daoist conception of harmony. Many scholars today argue that Confucianism has a relational ontology, yet at the same time, we find that Confucian values can and do lead to rigid and harmful traditions that have historically oppressed marginalized groups like women. As such, I re-imagine what li might look like if we take relational ontology seriously, Drawing from Zhuangzi, I argue that Confucian harmony and order do not necessarily arise out of hierarchy, and that harmony, the most primary goal of li and of the Confucian project, can be best attained through propriety that is influenced by Daoism and feminist values such as equality.
ISSN:0955-2367
1469-2961
DOI:10.1080/09552367.2024.2328420