Pdf toward a synthesis of confucianism and aristotelianism. Defining virtue ethics and exploring virtues in a comparative context comments on bryan w. Van norden examines early confucianism as a form of virtue ethics and mohism, an anti confucian movement, as a version of consequentialism. The chinese ethical tradition has often been thought to oppose western views of the self as autonomous and possessed of individual rights with views that emphasize the centrality of relationship and community to the self. My task here is to reflect on the book s objectives and to ask whether they are wellconceived and successfully accomplished. Virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese. Bryan van norden s new book, virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy van norden 2007. The philosophical methodology is analytic, in that the emphasis is on clear exegesis of the texts and a critical examination of the. Toward a synthesis of confucianism and aristotelianism bryan w.
In chinese texts there are suggestions for theorizing about this. Ethical development in stoicism and confucianism by. Potential officials throughout chinese history drew on the authority of non confucian sages, especially laozi and zhuangzi, to deny serving any ruler at any time. Van norden examines early confucianism as a form of virtue ethics and mohism, an anticonfucian movement, as a version of consequentialism. This is the era of the classic confucian virtue ethicists kongzi confucius, mengzi mencius. Bryan van norden chooses foundational texts of traditions around the globe. Ethics confucianism and aristotle virtues flashcards quizlet.
February 10, 2008 bryan van norden, virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy, cambridge university press, 2007, 412pp. The received text of the mengzi is divided into seven books, each of which is. The family is central to confucian ethics in at least two ways. Confucius is essentially the founder of confucianism, but he says of himself. The ethics of confucian business ethics 1172 words 5 pages. Flash cards for van norden s early chinese philosophy class final learn with flashcards, games, and more for free. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any. A common way to understand confucian ethics is that it is a virtue ethic. This text will remain a standard wrk in the field that belongs on the desk of every dedicated. Providing a collection of sophisticated new essays in various perspectives on the primal father of chinese thought and values, confucius and the analects. All told, the papers approach the central topic of virtue ethics and confucianism from diverse angles. Van norden does an admirable job of underscoring what is different and unique in chinese philosophy while suggesting ways in which chinese philosophers and western philosophers might engage in.
Van norden, introduction to classical chinese philosophy indianapolis. Ames and rosemont 2009 bryan van norden similarly argues that this. Angle, wesleyan university bryan van norden s new book, virtue ethics and consequentialism in early. This article argues that strong versions of the situationist critique of virtue ethics are empirically and conceptually unfounded, as well as that, even if one accepts that the predictive power of character may be limited, this is not a fatal problem for early confucian virtue ethics. Buy virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy book online at best prices in india on. As van norden, virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy, 269270, suggests, aristotles unwillingness to identify shame as a virtue reflects his concern to identify the virtues of fully cultivated agents. The hope is that couching the confucian tradition in the structure of western virtue ethics will allow a beginning. Support of confucian business ethics in harmony of the business environment 160issue. Confucian books are boring if youre interested in holy stories, spiritual miracles, and afterlife thrills. Virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
For if confucianism is a form of virtue ethics, we can then ask to what extent chinese criticisms of it parallel criticisms launched against contemporary virtue ethics, and what lessons for virtue ethics in general might be gleaned from the challenges to confucianism in particular. Confucianisms similarities to virtue ethics essay sample. Debating the scope and applicability of virtue and virtue ethics 1. Van norden, bryan toward a synthesis of confucianism and aristotelianism. Mozi and mohist consequentialism are the topic of chapter 4.
In spite of the influence of taoism and buddhism, confucian ethics have had the strongest influence on the moral fabric of chinese society. Review, synthesis, and directions for future research. In this book, van norden examines early confucianism as a form of virtue ethics and mohism, an anticonfucian movement, as a version of consequentialism. Zhu xi codified the sacred texts of confucianism, calling them simply the four books. Confucianism is depending on ones perspective either a religion, philosophical movement, cultural way of life, or governmental system. When you play, your soul may now commune with the divine, and enter into. Buy virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese. New essays is a highly anticipated and worthwhile contribution to confucian studies. Suitable for both undergraduates and advanced scholars. He begins in chapter 2 with a brief thematic overview of confucian philosophy before interpreting kongzis confucius ethics as a form of virtue ethics in chapter 3.
The essays in this collection discuss the validity of that contrast as it concerns confucianism, the single most influential chinese school of thought. Anyone interested in the role of virtue in contemporary moral philosophy, in chinese thought, or in the future possibilities for crosstradition philosophizing will find much to engage with in the twenty essays collected here. Now, there are a lot of problems with virtue ethics but what philosophical theory isnt rife with problems, paradoxes, and inconsistencies. Analects, book of mencius, great learning, doctrine of the mean. In this impressive book bryan van norden examines the moral philosophy of kongzi confucius and mengzi mencius under the framework of virtue ethics and the philosophy of early mohists under the framework of consequentialism. The emotion of shame and the virtue of righteousness in mencius. In general, i have focused on books rather than articles. Sep, 2012 virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy van norden, bryan w. Ivanhoe virtue ethics and the chinese confucian tradition 1. Chen, lai, 1952 virtue ethics and confucian ethics. Filial piety, a foundational virtue within the confucian ethical tradition, has been somewhat neglected by western ethicists.
The philosophical methodology is analytic, in that the emphasis is on clear exegesis of the texts and a critical examination of the philosophical arguments proposed by each side. Punishment and ethical selfcultivation in confucius and. Bryan van norden virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy 2007. Virtue ethics and confucianism edited by stephen c. Confucius, by contrast, may be more concerned to identify the virtues of lessthanperfect human beings where they stand. Van norden, virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy cambridge university press, 2007.
Van norden examines early confucianism as a form of virtue ethics. Bryan van norden on world philosophy books five books. Introduction to classical chinese philosophy bryan w. Virtue ethics and confucianism 1st edition stephen angle. In recent years, gilbert harman 199899, 19992000 and john doris 2002 have pointed to the influence of situations over attitude and behavior as a problem for virtue ethics. Eric hutton, han feizis criticism of confucianism and its. This introduction is intended as a complement to ivanhoe and van norden, readings in classical chinese philosophy, but can also be read independently. The three main views of confucian ethics in the present discourse of confucian ethics that is, confucian ethics as a virtue ethics, confucian ethics as a rulebased ethics, and confucian ethics as a rolebased ethics contain insights, but also are flawed and counter some insurmountable difficulties. Early preqin confucian texts are not concerned with analyzing particular elements of a. Van norden examines early confucianism as a form of virtue ethics and mohism, an anticonfucian movement, as a version of con sequentialism.
Virtue ethics and the chinese confucian tradition philip j. Those who do not work in the combination of chinese philosophy and ethics may wonder what all of the fuss is about. Mar 11, 2011 van norden s book is a very good introduction to the classical chinese thinkers, especially for those interested in the chinesewestern comparative approach. Confucianisms similarities to virtue ethics by ifasoldt. Confucius is one of the most influential figuresas historical individual and as symbolin world history. Buy virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy reprint by van norden, bryan w. Van norden s book is a very good introduction to the classical chinese thinkers, especially for those interested in the chinesewestern comparative approach. In this paper, we aim to remedy this lacuna by arguing that filial piety, when understood properly, remains a virtue that is significant, especially in its application to the ethics of business management. Wong waiyings more critical confucian ethics and virtue ethics revisited raises suspicions about confucianism s ability to enrich how we think about virtue or about the content of a flourishing. Introduction to classical chinese philosophy provides a lucid and comprehensive introduction to the philosophical debates of the warring states period. Morality is often coupled with notions of the truth, but the two remain. Zhuangzi, laozis most famous follower in traditional accounts, had a great deal of influence on chinese literati and culture. Van norden s virtue ethics and con sequentialism in early chinese philosophy, jiyuan yus the ethics of confucius.
Based on recent advances in englishlanguage scholarship on and translation of confucian philosophy, the book demonstrates that crosstradition stimulus, challenge, and learning are now eminently possible. Van norden s virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy, jiyuan yus the ethics of confucius and aristotle, and may sims remastering morals with aristotle and confucius are representative examples of this popular trend. Surprisingly, this volume is the first and only anthology on these topics in english. Project muse introduction to classical chinese philosophy. He later leaves lu, upset by lax rulers and political corruption, and spends years traveling, teaching his ideas about ethics virtue, social life and good government, but never finds a ruler who will use his advice. Studies chinese philosophy, chinese studies, and chinese language and. The one question brought forth by lagan 2006 is the conflict between harmony in the business environment and the competition of capitalistic markets in the ethical debate on the efficacy of confucian business ethics. Virtue ethics and confucianism in searchworks catalog. Bryan van norden virtue ethics and consequentialism in. In contrast, confucians like mengzi will say that being a loving parent, or child. According to yale university, the sacred texts of confucianism are five books that legend states confucius wrote. Nonetheless, how to understand both figure and text is constantly under dispute.
Treats confucius and his early follower mengzi as virtue ethicists, and their critic mozi as a consequentialist. Nov 23, 2011 virtue ethics would say that what matters is the motivation in the agent not to steal and that it is morally praiseworthy that they do not steal because it is a virtue they have cultivated and possess. Aristotle in his nicomachean ethics discusses virtues, the importance of. This volume presents the fruits of an extended dialogue among american and chinese philosophers concerning the relations between virtue ethics and the confucian tradition. Readings in classical chinese philosophy second edition. Based on recent advances in englishlanguage scholarship on and translation of confucian philosophy, the book demonstrates that crosstradition stimulus, challenge, and. Bryan w van norden, vassar college, philosophy department, faculty member. The book will be widely read by ethicists and comparative philosophers. Virtue ethics and confucianism stephen angle, michael. In the western traditions, especially in the writings of aristotle, the basic theoretical components of virtue ethics are more explicitly outlined. Van norden 2008, 14 consequently, mencius stresses that it is the.
Virtue ethics and confucianism 1st edition stephen. There are thousands of classic textbooks of confucianism, none of them being holy. Subjects would willingly follow a ruler with virtue, without the need for coercion. Nivison brings out the exciting variety within confucian thought, as he interprets and elucidates key thinkers from over two thousand years, from confucius himself, through mencius and xunzi, to such later confucians as wang yangming, dai zhen, and zhang xuecheng. Confucianism, kant, and virtue ethics lee minghuei. A revival of confucian thought in the 11th century resulted in neo confucianism, a major influence in korea during the choson dynasty and in japan during the edo period. These books are the book of history, the book of poetry, the book of changes, the book of rites, and the spring and autumn annals. The situationist critique and early confucian virtue ethics.
Start studying ethics confucianism and aristotle virtues. Both confucianism and virtue ethics are interested in cultivating people skillful in doing good as the basis of a stable society. Like stoicism, many key confucian ideas are based on a theory of human nature and have a practical or therapeutic intent. Like stoicism, confucianism is an ancient wisdom tradition with a focus on virtue, ethical development, humanitarian care for others, attention to the present moment, and the ideal of the sage. Virtue ethics and consequentialism in early chinese philosophy ebook. Beautiful piano music 247 study music, relaxing music, sleep music, meditation music soothing relaxation 3,812 watching live now. Analects from the framework offered by the theoretical elements of virtue ethics. Similarly, virtue ethics sees ethical behavior as ultimately driven by character, not by rules deontology or consequences utilitarianism. Buy virtue ethics and confucianism by stephen angle isbn. It is much stronger on the confucians especially mengzi and xunzi, mozi, and the school of names than on the daoists, and i highly recommend it as an introductory text for further study. Confucianism, kant, and virtue ethics in recent years, a trend of adopting the western concept of virtue ethics to interpret confucian ethics has emerged and gained popularity in the englishspeaking world.
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