A GENEALOGY OF EARLY CONFUCIAN MORAL PSYCHOLOGY

This essay tentatively develops a genealogical interpretation of Early Confucian moral psychology by informing close readings of Early Confucian texts, in particular the Mencius and the Analects, with research in the mind sciences. This includes examinations of the discussions of emotions and their morality. First the relationship is analyzed between Confucian filial piety, genetic kinship, and moral emotions, then the relationship between Early Confucian ethical principles for interaction with non-kin, empathy, and reciprocal altruism. These two issues are framed by a description of the variance between the (high) usage and importance of emotions in the moral philosophy of Early Confucianism and the (low) usage and importance of emotions in the moral philosophy of competing Western moral theories. © 2011 Project MUSE®.