Edification in the Chinese Philosophy of Confucianism (Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture)

This pivot focuses on “the concept of edification” in a bid to systematically expound its connotative structure and logical evolution. It is divided into ten chapters, embracing various issues, such as human nature as the foundation of edification, the development of edification and cultivation, the evolution of edification and the resultant life based on ritual and music, the political orientation and ultimate care of edification, and the nurturing of social edification, in an effort to offer a panoramic view of the intellectual features of Confucianism, and consequently a profound reflection on the cultural consciousness of contemporary China. The book is expected to satisfy the needs for a better understanding of edification as a Confucian concept, and the conceptual features of Chinese philosophy, or rather, Confucianism.Jinglin Li is Professor and Doctoral Supervisor of School of Philosophy at Beijing Normal University, as well as Chair Professor of Liberal Arts at Sichuan University, China. His main research interests are Confucianism, Taoist philosophy, and Chinese culture. As a prolific writer, he has published various titles, including The Origin of Edification, Edificatory Philosophy, Confucianism in the Perspective of Edification, Edification from the Confucian View, and Annotation to Mencius, apart from more than 200 academic papers.Wei Guo is an associate professor at the School of Foreign Studies of Central South University, China. She has earned her PhD from Central South University, focusing on the philosophical translation of Zhong Yong. Her academic interests also focus on interpreting and translation research and practice.Hongjuan Xin is professor at the Faculty of Foreign Languages of Ningbo University, China. She specializes in translation studies and comparative literature, particularly focusing on world translation history and translators. Preface Publisher’s Note to “Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture Series” (English Edition) Contents 1 Confucianism: The Philosophy of Edification Philosophy and Confucianism Confucianism and Edification Three Meanings of Edification The Philosophical Significance of “Hua” (transformation) 2 Teaching of the Realization of Virtue: Edification and Personality Cultivation Edification Realizes Virtue The Concept of Virtuous Nature(De) Truth and Real Existence Nature, the Mandate of Heaven and Virtue, Happiness 3 A Man Commanding Our Longingness Should Be Called a Good Man: The Foundation and Premise of Edification The Longingness and Pursuit of Ren Ren and Righteousness Innerly Existing in the Real Existence The Integration of “Enabling-Knowing” and Revealing of the Starting Point of Goodness 4 The Nature and Reflection of Sincerity: The Process of Edification The Noumenon and Endeavor The Purification and Continuity of Life Goodness Reflected Outward 5 The Teaching of Rites and Music: Edification and Lifestyles The Rules of Rites and Music as Lifestyles The Rules of Rites and Religious Lives The Change of Belief Systems and the Social Edification Way of Confucianism Confucianism and Social Belief System Reaching Different Desinations on the Same Route 6 Displaying and Reaching Destiny: Edification and the Ultimate Care Perceiving Interconnection and Reaching Destiny The Way of Display, Being True to the Principles of Loyalty and Consideration for Others Exceeding, Surpassing, and Transcending Junzi (A Man of Virtue)’s Personality—“Self-Discipline” 7 Conclusion: Confucian Edification and Contemporary Society