Interpreting the “Human Being” through Ren (仁): The Significance for Rethinking “Modernity” and “Universalism”

According to the concept of the “Axial Age” proposed by the renowned German philosopher Karl Jaspers, more than two thousand years ago different advanced cultures emerged simultaneously in various regions of the Eurasian continent. Among them, Chinese philosophy occupies an irreplaceable position. In ancient Greek moral philosophy, for example, individual happiness is not only the center of ethics but also the ultimate purpose of state construction. Corresponding to this understanding of the human being – as rational actor and a citizen of a polis – individual freedom and equality, the struggle for personal rights and interests, and the establishment of a state governed by the rule of law became the main thread in the development of Greek political and ethical thought, exerting a lasting influence on Europe to this day. In China, by contrast, since Confucius discovered the intrinsic value of ren and elevated it to the center of moral virtue, the idea of ren has continued to develop. Grounded in the doctrine of the goodness of human nature, Confucianism formed theories of “cultivating the self and governing the state”, such as “inner sage and outer king”, “governance by benevolence”, and “governance by virtue”. Since both “modernity” and “universalism” originate in the West – first, because modernization and modernity are historically based on Western development, and second, because the West has also dominated the discourse on “common values” – interpreting the human being through ren has concrete significance for rethinking “modernity” and “universalism.” In view of contemporary recognition of the diversity of world civilizations and the development of multiple modernities, this paper argues that the Confucian approach centered on ren differs from Western individualism and the pursuit of individual rights. Taking the recognition of the moral nature of human beings as its orientation, it explicitly emphasizes the necessity of understanding and cultivating humanity’s inner moral capacities. As such, it can serve as a supplement to Western thought and contribute to the formation of genuine common values.