The Search for Humanity -- A Study of Confucian Thought

Author: Wang Enlai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: The author, Wang Enlai, is an amateur scholar. This book is not only well-structured and written in a fluent style but also presents original and insightful perspectives. On many issues, it both inherits and deepens the research of predecessors while not being confined to established views, proposing its own innovative opinions with high academic value. "Ren" is the core category of Confucian thought, with its fundamental meaning being love, which is widely recognized by academia. However, there has always been disagreement regarding the scope of "ren." Some argue that Confucius's love does not include slaves or commoners. The author of this book proves, through Confucius's own words and actions, that Confucius's concept of "ren" is about loving all people and broadly benefiting the masses. This view, though greatly differing from traditional understandings, is well-founded. Building on this, the author delves into Confucius's perceptions and on important issues such as human dignity, personality, and the rights to survival and development. The author argues that these perceptions and form the foundation of Confucius's entire philosophical system, thereby reaffirming the established view that "ren" is the core category of Confucian thought and offering a fresh recognition and evaluation of Confucius's concept of "ren."