Confucianism

Executive Briefing: Cultivating the Exemplary Person Confucius (Kongzi) sought to restore social harmony through the interplay of Ren (human-hearted benevolence) and Li (ritual propriety), transforming … Read more

Executive Briefing: The Meritocracy of Character Confucius subverted the feudal term Junzi (originally meaning “son of a lord”), redefining nobility not as hereditary bloodline, but … Read more

Executive Briefing: The Concentric Circles of Affection Xiao (Filial Piety) is the root of all virtues: by learning love and deference within the biological family, … Read more

Executive Briefing: The Battle Over the Human Soul Mencius argued that human nature is innately good (*Xingshan*), like water flowing downward; Xunzi countered that human … Read more

Executive Briefing: Sovereignty Contingent on Justice The Zhou Dynasty established Tianming (The Mandate of Heaven): imperial sovereignty is not an unconditional divine right; if a … Read more

Executive Briefing: The Literati Elite Instituted in the Sui and Tang dynasties and perfected in the Song, the Keju examination system selected state administrators (*Mandarins*) … Read more

Executive Briefing: The Metaphysical Revival Responding to the metaphysical challenges of Buddhism and Taoism, Song Dynasty master Zhu Xi (1130–1200) synthesized Confucian ethics with a … Read more

Executive Briefing: Innate Knowing Ming Dynasty general-philosopher Wang Yangming (1472–1529) broke with Zhu Xi, asserting that principle (*Li*) is not found outside in books, but … Read more

Executive Briefing: Max Weber Reconsidered While Max Weber claimed Confucianism lacked the ascetic rationalism to spawn capitalism, the modern rise of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, … Read more