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The Philosophical Thought of Confucius and Mencius, and the Concept of the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind

Author

Listed:
  • Uzma Khan

    (Department of Philosophy, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Huili Wang

    (Department of Philosophy, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Zhongliang Cui

    (Institute of Contemporary Chinese Marxism, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
    Department of Philosophy, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China)

  • Abida Begum

    (School of Marxism, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
    Heilongjiang Province Think Tank for Ecological Civilization Construction and Green Development, Harbin 150040, China)

  • Abdullah Mohamed

    (Research Centre, Future University in Egypt, New Cairo 11835, Egypt)

  • Heesup Han

    (College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Sejong University, 98 Gunja-Dong, Gwanjin-Gu, Seoul 143-747, Korea)

Abstract

The Community of a Shared Future for Mankind seeks to mitigate the world’s current challenges, and to create a more sustainable future through better global governance. Some of the philosophical arguments of the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind, and its foundations, which this article traces, are grounded in the philosophical teachings of Confucius and Mencius. The five pillars of Confucianism are benevolence (Ren), righteousness (Yi), propriety (Li), wisdom (Zhi) and fidelity (Xin). The five pillars have their equivalents in the philosophy of the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind: benevolence has its equivalents in multilateral and bilateral agreements; righteousness shows justice; propriety’s equivalents are international standards and regulations; wisdom is the problem-solving dialogues; and trustworthiness is equated to international organizations that safeguard global integrity. The Confucian principle of harmony is congruent with the objective of the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind, of creating a world of harmony, peace and cooperation. The Golden Rule has been observed in the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind, through its insistence on reciprocal bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Mencius’ philosophical contribution to the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind is in his theory of human nature, where humaneness is seen as developmental—as would be the community built by the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind. Mencius’ principle of governance is congruent with the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind’s insistence on responsible governance. These congruences and similarities, between the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind and the philosophies of Confucius and Mencius, point to the foundations for the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind.

Suggested Citation

  • Uzma Khan & Huili Wang & Zhongliang Cui & Abida Begum & Abdullah Mohamed & Heesup Han, 2022. "The Philosophical Thought of Confucius and Mencius, and the Concept of the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:16:p:9854-:d:884462
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Woods & David Lamond, 2011. "What Would Confucius Do? – Confucian Ethics and Self-Regulation in Management," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 102(4), pages 669-683, September.
    2. Haoguang Liang & Yaojun Zhang, 2019. "The Theoretical System of Belt and Road Initiative," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-981-13-7701-3, March.
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