The Development and Challenges for Confucian Ethics-The Confucian Thoughts on Individuals and Society

With strong humanist concerns, Confucian philosophy is constructed on the understanding about human nature and the way of heaven. Some assume that Confucianism value one's role in the society along with the duty and responsibility of the role more than individuals and their rights. And some assume that Confucianism advocates one's role as a member of the society or the collective rather than his or her individuality. What is the development for Confucianism in the 21st century in face of the challenges brought by globalization and new trends? And how do we, based on the classics, understand and interpret correctly Confucian philosophy and Confucian ethics? This article is intended to answer these two questions. Here we point out the Confucian views about individuals and society: the immanence of Confucian "doctrine of benevolence (jen)" - "Benevolence is the characteristic element of humanity" and "The benevolent man loves others" - is the foundation of Confucian ethics. Then, telling the stories "rescuing the sister-in-law" and seeing a child about to fall into a well," this article illustrates whether Confucian ethics is concerned with individuals or only their roles. It is pointed out after analysis that interpreting Confucian ethics as nothing but role ethics or relation ethics not only is contradictory to the truth but also shelters one's subjectivity and individuality and hinders the development of Confucian philosophy as a comprehensive system of philosophy and its wholesome evolution.