_ Peking University Prof. Lou Yulie on Confucian Philosophy

Interview by Tan Xingyu

The recent screen epic Confucius rekindled the Chinese public’s enthusiasm for the sage whose philosophies profoundly influenced Chinese culture, his legacy still burning 2,000 years after his death. In 21st-Century China, what is the significance of Confucian values after millennia of history and amidst the breakneck development of the modern era? To explore this question, China Pictorial interviewed Lou Yulie, professor of philosophy at Peking University, who has a broad understanding of Chinese traditional culture.

China Pictorial: How do you view the modern significance of Confucius?

Lou Yulie: I think that in modern China, when we talk about Confucius, we usually refer to Confucian culture, rather than Confucius himself. So, let’s not focus on the individual, because he has been transfigured into an indelible symbol of Chinese culture. It’s not about restoring a human image of the historic figure. The Confucius that concerns us today is more abstract, and might be in stark contrast to the actual person.

Confucianism-based Chinese culture stresses human subjectivity and activism in the universe. Rather than relying on external forces, Confucianism advocates the development of individual initiative and action, and this has bequeathed a humanistic spirit to Chinese culture. Chinese society has been maintained and developed through moral consciousness and self-discipline, and without that context, it’s meaningless to discuss Confucian thought.

Take an example of how Western development absorbed Chinese culture over the centuries. As Europe advanced from the Middle Ages to the modern era, it struggled to evolve from a Medieval deity-centered culture to a more human-centered culture. In the Middle Ages, Europeans believed that humanity could not survive without God, and believed his aid was essential in purifying their souls and progressing society.

Around the time of the Renaissance, many thinkers started focusing mankind’s progress on human morality rather than divine power. So during the ‘Age of Enlightenment,’ Western minds became more enamored by Chinese philosophy. The French thinkers Denis Diderot and Voltaire both penned essays praising Confucian concepts, through which they asserted their groundbreaking ideas inspired by the human-centered spirit.

CP: What does the idea of the human-centered spirit entail exactly?

Lou: According to Confucianism, the three equal powers in the universe are heaven, earth, and the human, which means that man is neither a slave to heaven (God) nor to earth (material), but should instead enjoy freedom between heaven and earth. But in respect to Western civilization, there was an evolution from medieval submission to God to the present-day control over nature – which is really more a ‘demand from nature’ – an attempt to become master of it. But by doing so, one only becomes a slave to material things.

Confucianism attaches great importance to moral cultivation, which seeks two results: Human beings must first distinguish themselves from animals; once this elementary goal is accomplished, on a higher level, they should strive for extraordinary wisdom and superiority through self-improvement and personal breakthroughs. Many misinterpret the true meaning of ‘freedom’ as ‘the ability to do whatever they like,’ which not only harms others, but themselves as well. Confucianism emphasizes self-restraint, believing that embracing material desires will negatively affect the evolution of morality. So, Confucius preached the idea of “etiquette,” aiming to standardize the human code of conduct.

In a modern context, the spiritual ideals of Confucianism are no different from centuries ago, because basic human desire is always the same, regardless of time period. Hsun-Tzu (c. 313-238 B.C., an important early Confucian philosopher) said that it is human nature to desire food when hungry, desire warmth when cold, and desire rest when tired. For example, in the past, Chinese people were excited for the New Year holiday because only then could they find plentiful meat on the table. In modern times, many Chinese people like to serve wild vegetables during Spring Festival because pork and beef are now commonplace in our lives. Humans seem to have never lost their pursuit of desire. Instead of completely scorning it, Confucianism advocates moderate or restrained desire. Excessive desire leads to greed. Man’s consciousness and conscience give him a fundamental difference from animals. We can control our wants.