For Confucianism nowadays, the characteristics and relationship between benevolence and filial piety are crucial topics. This paper is a discussion of the relationship between benevolence and filial piety in Confucianism from a new doctrine, i.e. the doctrine of ren wei tian sheng 人为天生 (humans are born of tian). Confucianists believed that man’s existence as a human was derived from tian. This was extended to mean that, in contrast to being born into a family, part of being ‘human’ was also given (...) by tian. The two virtues are applicable to different occasions, and require different moral competencies. Based on these premises, Confucianism conceived of an ideal order. Confucianism holds that junzi (gentlemen) involved in politics must fulfil the virtues of benevolence, justice, loyalty and trustworthiness, while xiaoren (ordinary people) are only expected to do their filial duty within the family. (shrink)

This paper consists of two parts. The first deals with the issue of whether it is possible to coherently employ the term ‘critical Confucian’ in general, i.e. whether it is a paradox or oxymoron. It will be argued that Confucianism should not be identified with any particular ideology and, therefore, can be critical. This critical potential, in turn, can be developed by bringing it into dialogue with Critical Theory. As such, the second part indicates, in an introductory way, some possible (...) overlaps between Confucianism and Critical Theory by comparing Heiner Roetz’s and Axel Honneth’s respective interpretations of these traditions. (shrink)