Confucian Thought: Selfhood As Creative Transfo... Apr 2026

: Tu Weiming emphasizes that the self eventually reaches a state where it is "at one" with the universe. This "anthropocosmic" view suggests that by fulfilling our human nature, we also participate in the creative work of Heaven and Earth. The Dimensions of Cultivation

Tu Weiming argues that this Confucian model offers a vital alternative to modern "instrumental rationality" and extreme individualism. It proposes that true freedom is found not in independence from others, but in the that allows for both personal growth and social harmony. Confucian Thought: Selfhood as Creative Transfo...

: The center of human cognition and emotion. Cultivation requires aligning the mind-heart with the principle of "Humaneness" ( Ren ). : Tu Weiming emphasizes that the self eventually

Tu Weiming's essay, explores the Confucian concept of the self not as a static entity, but as an open, evolving process of "becoming." Central to this perspective is the idea that human flourishing is achieved through the continuous integration of the individual with the family, society, and the cosmos. Core Concepts of Confucian Selfhood It proposes that true freedom is found not

: Selfhood begins with the physical person. The body is not a prison for the soul but a sacred vessel that must be disciplined and respected through ritual ( li ).