Confucian Ethical Practice as a Method of Creating and Sustaining Whiteheadian Beauty

Abstract

I argue that Confucian ethical practice can be considered as a feasible method of creating and sustaining Whiteheadian beauty. I first investigate Whitehead’s understanding of value, beauty and morality. Next, I show the affinity between Confucius and Whitehead in their understanding of value, beauty, and morality through an analysis of the Analects (Lunyu 论语), focusing on the aesthetic aspects of Confucian ethics understood as role ethics. Finally, I argue that Confucian ways of moral self-cultivation can be viewed as methods that foster our disposition to create and sustain the beauty of experience.

Keywords

Confucianism / role ethics / ethical practice / whitehead / beauty / morality

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2014 Higher Education Press and Brill