The Logical Evolution of Confucian Theory of Humanity

Abstract

Confucian political and economic theories of humanity are not the same as the Western tradition of practice philosophy. Although the above two Confucian theories are divorced from the moral centralism of orthodox Confucianism, they still aim to achieve the goodness of human nature. The moral theory of humanity deems that human nature is inherently good, and through moral practice only human can reach the original goodness of nature, while the political and economic theories of human nature believe that only moral practice cannot avail to reach the target of turning into goodness. The political theory of human nature mainly insists that political indoctrination be necessary, while the economic theory of human nature believes that hard work such as material production is a must to meet people’s needs for security and material resources. the theory of political humanity is stripped away from politics. Such practice also aff ects the Confucian understanding of human nature, which has a strong sense of reality