Abstract:

From the early period to modern times, Confucian scholars have always been used to reducing the foundation of the subject of morality to human nature. In fact, at the universal philosophical level, it is rather an issue about the root of normativity, which is not limited to the theory of human nature. Recently, the rise of constructivism has provided a new theoretical stimulus for the study of Confucian moral subject. However, the moral self in constructivism is regarded as fixed and rational subject, while the moral self in Confucianism is generative with humanity (ren) as its deeper and more authentic capacity than reason. In Confucianism, sympathetic humanity, as an innate psychological capacity, is cultivated into virtuous humanity through moral practice, in which reason undoubtedly plays an important role, and this process is also the self-certification of the moral subject. This generative dimension, according to which essence is verified in action, is not found in constructivism, but it constitutes the feature of Confucian moral metaphysics. Without touching this dimension, it would be a superficial way to discuss the root of Confucian normativity only from the perspective of reason.

Key words: normativity, humanity (ren), Confucius, seventy disciples, Mencius, Xunzi