The methodology of Confucius' philosophy in 'The Analects'.

摘要

This paper is the most specific and systematic inquiry attempted thus far of the methodology of classical Confucianism canonized in The Analects. That work serves as one of the primary sources for Chinese philosophy characteristic of concrete rationalism, organic naturalism, intrinsic humanism, and morally-oriented pragmatism. With a strong emphasis on the holistic integrity and unity of the human person, who serves as a vehicle for fulfilling the ultimate value in the world, Confucius' work is inherently framed within a philosophical system based on an implicit methodology. Confucius' ontologically-oriented ethics are expressed in his concept of ren (humaneness/humanity/benevolence), cosmology in the notions of dao (way), taiji (the supreme ultimate) and tian (heaven), his epistemology in the concepts of zhi (realizing), xue (learning), si (thinking), his aesthetics in he (harmony), and his logic in zhengming (rectification of name). The whole system of Confucius' philosophy is manifested in his conceptualization of junzi (the gentleperson), who serves as the medium between heaven and the human community. Underlying Confucius' philosophy in The Analects is his methodology, whose core principle is the concept of li (rituals/propriety) and its equivalent zhongyong (the constant mean/middle way) in The Doctrine of the Mean that signifies the essence of the universe. Confucius' methodology comes mainly from his holistic viewpoint of the world and his well-balanced (junzi or gentleperson's) personality.