Confucian Social Philosophy Between Self and Family

Kevin James Turner

doi:10.4312/as.2026.14.1.229-249

Authors

Kevin James TURNER Hong Kong Baptist University, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/as.2026.14.1.229-249

Keywords:

Confucian philosophy, relational self, social ontology, family, public and private

Abstract

Our world is increasingly chaotic. It is important to draw on philosophical resources to help in navigating the coming turbulence. As a philosophical tradition born of troubled times, Confucianism is one such resource. Confucianism is not necessarily pacificist but is characterized by a consciousness for the well-being of others and society. This article looks to the Confucian relational self, social ontology, and the political significance of the family. It is guided by Confucius’ statement that when the way fails in the world one should conceal themselves and his claim that governing is to be found in the family rather than being employed in government. When contextualized within Confucian social philosophy, we are afforded a perspective that shows how the ontological structure of the self-other relationship makes the family a public rather than private institution and informs possible avenues of political action when the way fails in the world.

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