{"product_id":"9781438461502","title":"Self-Realization through Confucian Learning: A Contemporary Reconstruction of Xunzi's Ethics","description":"\u003ci\u003eConfucian philosopher Xunzi’s moral thought is considered in light of the modern focus on self-realization.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSelf-Realization through Confucian Learning\u003c\/i\u003e reconstructs Confucian thinker Xunzi’s moral philosophy in response to the modern focus on self-realization. Xunzi (born around 310 BCE) claims that human \u003ci\u003exing\u003c\/i\u003e (“nature” or “native conditions”) is without an ethical framework and has a tendency to dominate, leading to bad judgments and bad behavior. Confucian ritual propriety (\u003ci\u003eli\u003c\/i\u003e) is needed to transform these human native conditions. Through \u003ci\u003eli\u003c\/i\u003e, people become self-directing: in control of feelings and desires and in command of their own lives. Siufu Tang explicates Xunzi’s understanding of the hierarchical structure of human agency to articulate why and how \u003ci\u003eli\u003c\/i\u003e is essential to self-realization. Ritual propriety also structures relationships to make a harmonious communal life possible. Tang’s focus on self-realization highlights how Confucianism can address the individual as well as the communal and serve as a philosophy for contemporary times.","brand":"State University of New York Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47142537593072,"sku":"9781438461502","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781438461502_p0.jpg?v=1763757971","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781438461502","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}