Throughout human history, during times of chaos, people have consistently asked the same questions: How should we live? What is right? Why do humans conflict, and why do communities fall apart? Where does the power to restore order come from?
In India, Siddhartha Gautama answered these questions; in Persia, Zoroaster provided insights; and in China, Confucius responded. While Gautama explored inner human suffering, Confucius examined the relationships between people. If Laozi spoke of the order of nature and the universe, Confucius focused on the order of human society. In this sense, Confucius was more of a designer of civilization than a founder of religion.
Confucius was born in 551 B.C., during one of the most tumultuous periods in Chinese history. The authority of the Zhou dynasty had collapsed, and feudal lords fought for supremacy. Wars were incessant, and the populace lost their livelihoods. Law became a tool of the powerful, and power belonged to those who wielded swords. Observing this era, Confucius concluded that saving the nation did not lie in increasing military might but in cultivating humanity.
Today's world is not vastly different. The war between Russia and Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, U.S.-China strategic competition, global polarization, political division, the spread of fake news, and hatred reflect a chaos similar to that of the Warring States period, albeit in different forms. While technology has advanced more than ever, human wisdom has not necessarily kept pace. This is why revisiting Confucius is relevant today.
The cornerstone of Confucius's philosophy is ren (仁), which is not merely about kindness or good deeds but about treating people with dignity. It embodies respect for humanity and serves as the spiritual foundation for maintaining community. Confucius described ren as 'loving people.' In contemporary terms, it can be understood as a philosophy of human dignity.
Confucius particularly emphasized the principle of '己所不欲 勿施於人' (Do not impose on others what you do not desire for yourself). Remarkably, this single statement connects with nearly all ethical systems in human civilization, including the Golden Rule in Christianity, compassion in Buddhism, and brotherhood in Islam. This illustrates that despite differing civilizations, human conscience ultimately flows toward the same ideals.
Confucius's teachings are encapsulated in the Analects, which is not just a philosophical text but also a guide to human studies, leadership, and wisdom for life. This is why prestigious business schools worldwide continue to study the Analects.
The first line of the Analects is famous:
"學而時習之 不亦說乎 (To learn and to practice what is learned is a joy, isn't it?)."
Confucius viewed learning as the essence of life. Humans are not born as complete beings but are continuously growing throughout their lives. In fact, a common trait among the world's leading companies is their commitment to constant learning. The strength of American giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and NVIDIA lies not only in technology but also in their ability to learn and adapt.
Satya Nadella, who revitalized Microsoft, emphasized the need to shift from a 'Know-it-all' culture to a 'Learn-it-all' culture. Organizations that believe they know everything decline, while those that embrace learning grow. This modern expression of Confucius's teaching on learning is not far-fetched.
Confucius also stressed the importance of the junzi (君子), which does not refer to someone with power, wealth, or high status. A junzi is someone who can govern themselves. Confucius stated, 'The junzi thinks of righteousness, while the petty person thinks of profit.' This does not mean to deny profit but to prioritize principles over self-interest.
In reality, great companies often adhere to principles. Kazuo Inamori, known as the god of management in Japan, emphasized throughout his life the philosophy of 'doing the right thing rightly.' He viewed management not merely as a means to make money but as a process of nurturing human growth. His management philosophy closely resembles the Confucian concept of self-cultivation (修身).
Similar examples can be found in South Korea. While many companies thrived during the early stages of industrialization, those that have endured are not solely the ones with superior technology. Companies that prioritized trust and talent development ultimately secured sustainability. Conversely, those fixated solely on short-term profits have faded into history. Confucius's concept of the junzi applies equally to businesses.
However, to fully understand Confucianism, one must engage with the Doctrine of the Mean (中用) as well.
Many people mistakenly believe that the Doctrine of the Mean is about compromise. This is a significant misunderstanding. The Doctrine of the Mean is not about finding a gray area; it is about maintaining one's center and avoiding extremes. It is about achieving balance.
The Doctrine of the Mean states:
"喜怒哀樂之未發謂之中, 發而皆中節謂之和 (The state before joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure are expressed is called 'mean'; when they are expressed in moderation, it is called 'harmony')."
This does not mean to suppress human emotions but rather to avoid becoming enslaved by them. It advises maintaining principles even in anger, avoiding arrogance in success, and not falling into despair in failure.
In fact, one common trait among successful global business leaders is their sense of balance. Excellent CEOs possess both optimism and realism. They pursue innovation while managing risks. They trust their employees while upholding principles. This embodies the management philosophy of the Doctrine of the Mean.
Today, the world is living in an era of extremes. Politics is becoming increasingly polarized. Social media thrives on outrage, and algorithms push people into more biased information. Generative AI, if used wisely, can contribute to human advancement, but if misused, it can cause significant chaos. In such times, the virtue of moderation is most needed.
The Doctrine of the Mean does not mean to stand in the middle or to turn a blind eye to truth and justice. Rather, it calls for controlling emotions, desires, biases, and dogmatism to realize truth and justice. Moderation is not weakness but the strength of restraint.
Confucius spoke of the process of human growth, emphasizing '修身齊家治國平天下' (Cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world). The order is crucial. Confucius prioritized self-reform before national reform.
Today, many leaders claim they want to change the world. However, they often fail to govern themselves. Gaining power is challenging, but exercising restraint over power is even more difficult. This is why the philosophy of self-cultivation that Confucius emphasized 2,500 years ago remains relevant today.
As we enter the age of AI, humanity faces new questions. Artificial intelligence can remember more information than humans and compute faster. However, AI cannot possess a conscience. It cannot replace human dignity. As technology advances, the value of being human becomes even more significant.
Confucius's greatest legacy is not a vast empire or magnificent architecture but a belief in humanity, a belief in education, and a belief in the potential for self-cultivation. While the Analects show the path of humanity, the Doctrine of the Mean illustrates how to walk that path steadily. One speaks to human dignity, while the other speaks to human balance. It is at the intersection of these two that we finally discover the image of the junzi that Confucius envisioned.
Even 2,500 years later, Confucius remains relevant because he is not just a sage of China but a teacher of human civilization. In times of chaos, we seek the path of humanity; in times of extremes, we search for balance; and in the age of technology, we strive to preserve our humanity. His teachings continue to resonate today.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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