Why Observing Li Is Not the Instrument to Attain Ren: On the Relation Between Ren and Li in the Analects

Many scholars generally believe that Confucius thinks the observance of li to be instrumental in attaining ren . In this essay, it is argued that observing li is not the instrument for attaining ren in the Analects . If we endorse the instrumentalist's interpretation of li for attaining ren , f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhilosophy east & west Vol. 73; no. 4; pp. 1004 - 1022
Main Author Zhang, Jian
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Honolulu University of Hawai'i Press 01.10.2023
University of Hawaii Press
Subjects
Analysis
Ancient philosophers
Confucianism
Confucius (551-479 BC)
Confucius (Chinese philosopher)
Criticism and interpretation
Cultivation
Cultural conflict
Culture conflict
Ethical aspects
Feminism
Moral conditions
Morality
Philosophers, Ancient
Philosophy
Society
China
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Summary:Many scholars generally believe that Confucius thinks the observance of li to be instrumental in attaining ren . In this essay, it is argued that observing li is not the instrument for attaining ren in the Analects . If we endorse the instrumentalist's interpretation of li for attaining ren , four contradictions would be followed in the Analects . Besides, there is no clear and solid textual evidence for the instrumentalist's interpretation of li . By reinterpreting passage 12.1, where Confucius said "ke ji fu li wei ren" 克己復禮為仁, it is argued that scholars are wrong to refer to it as a support for the instrumentalist's interpretation. In the Analects , Confucius presents a self-cultivation way to attain ren without relying on the observance of li .
ISSN:0031-8221
1529-1898
1529-1898
DOI:10.1353/pew.2023.a909974