Confucian Family for a Feminist Future

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Confucianism has an eerie silence concerning the li of affection required of parents toward children.

“Strangely, there is in Confucianism an eerie silence concerning the li of affection required of parents toward children.”

May combine two claims.

The family is the fundamental well-spring of love and provides an opportunity to practice love.

“The family is the fundamental well-spring of love and therefore provides an opportunity to practice love.”

May combine two claims.

Dong Zhongshu made a connection between sex differences and the ying-yang principle, which led to interpreting pie as a metaphysical difference between the sexes.

“One pivotal moment for this transformation came when the Han Confucian Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒 179-104 BC), influenced by the Book of Changes, made a fateful connection between sex differences and the ying-yang (陰陽) principle (S.Chan 2008, 147).”

• cites S.Chan 2008, 147Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The Confucian family for neo-Confucians is the patrilineal descent group, and maintaining the well-being of the family is maintaining a clear line of descent in such a group.

“The Confucian family for neo-Confucians, then, is the patrilineal descent group, and maintaining the well-being of the family is maintaining a clear line of descent in such a group.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Care ethicists criticize the Rawlsian liberal position for its unrealistically individualist and rational conception of persons that may not be conducive to forming caring relationships at the heart of the family.

“Care ethicists in particular have launched a powerful criticism of Rawls's liberal position, whose core assumptions Okin wholeheartedly accepts, for its unrealistically individualist and rational conception of persons that may not be conducive to forming caring relationships at the heart of the family.”

May combine two claims.

For secondary wives, their well-being and survival depended on the husband's whimsical favors, and their sons were destined to become secondary citizens.

“Regarding secondary wives, in particular, not only did their wellbeing and survival depend on the husband's whimsical favors, but their sons were destined to become secondary citizens (269-72).”

May combine two claims.

In 1413 it was legally decided that a man must have only one legal wife, the primary wife, and all other wives were relegated to secondary or minor wives.

“With this aim, it was legally decided in 1413 that a man must have only one legal wife, who is the primary wife (cheo 妻) and all other wives were relegated to the status of secondary or minor wives (cheop 妾).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Parents must take on the role of moral educators of children by becoming moral exemplars themselves.

“Essentially, parents must take on the role of moral educators of children, by becoming moral exemplars themselves.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

This conception of the family is patriarchal from the feminist point of view and unduly restrictive of career and life opportunities for women.

“This conception of the family, however, is patriarchal from the feminist point of view, unduly restrictive of career and life opportunities for women.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The Confucian canons focus almost exclusively on the responsibility of children to express the proper li of affection toward parents.

“Interestingly, the Confucian canons focus almost exclusively on the responsibility of children to express the proper li of affection toward parents.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Okin presumes that restructuring the family according to justice principles would enhance the capacity for empathy for all family members, but this is not necessarily so.

“Although Okin seems to presume that restructuring the family according to justice principles would enhance the capacity for empathy for all members of the family, including children (Okin,185), this is not necessarily so.”

• cites Okin,185Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Parents' love toward children should never be too emotional or overindulgent, but restrained, disciplined, and respectful.

“Their love toward children, however, should never be too emotional or overindulgent, but restrained, disciplined, and respectful.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Care ethics demands that every aspect of society should be radically transformed according to the care principle, exporting mothering relations to the wider society.

“In care ethics, the demand is not simply that society ought to facilitate individual households to transform into caring families, but that every aspect of society should also be radically transformed according to the care principle (Held 1993, 214, 223).”

• cites Held 1993, 214, 223Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In care ethics, emotion gains normative significance.

“In care ethics, emotion gains normative significance.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Care ethics requires the one-caring to tear down emotional boundaries and merge with the cared-for as an alter ego.

“To some extent, it requires the one-caring, who is usually in a position superior to that of the cared-for, whether emotionally, morally, or intellectually, to tear down the emotional boundaries that separate herself and the cared-for and to merge with the latter as if to become his or her alter ego.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

In Confucianism, morality is the full actualization of these emotional germinations in Confucian virtues.

“Morality therefore is none other than the full actualization of these emotional germinations in Confucian virtues.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

The Chosôn Dynasty's application of neo-Confucian li, especially the agnatic principle, produced an extreme form of patriarchal Confucian family.

“An extreme form of patriarchal Confucian family that resulted from the application of this later Confucian interpretation of pie can be found in the Chosôn Dynasty (朝鮮1392-1910) on the Korean peninsula, which was established on explicitly Confucian values.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Parents should discipline children to develop good habits and chasten them when they go astray and commit wrong deeds.

“They should discipline children to develop good habits and chasten them when they go astray and commit wrong deeds.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Parents must serve as role models for children of self-cultivation and Confucian virtues.

“For this, parents must serve as role models for children of self-cultivation and Confucian virtues, so that children can learn to become responsible Confucian citizens of the wider world by following parents' examples.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Okin applies Rawls's theory of justice to issues of gender and family.

“One such conception has been proposed by a prominent liberal feminist, Susan Okin, who applies John Rawls's theory of justice to the issues of gender and family (1989).”

• cites Okin 1989Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Li involves jing (respect or reverence) toward others.

“As Sin Yee Chan points out (2006), li involves jing (respect or reverence, 敬) toward others.”

• cites Chan 2006 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Even in the parent-child relation, children are required to show the requisite li of affection, but the consistent theme is to be respectful (jing) toward parents.

“Even in the case of the parent-child relation, as we have seen, in which children are required to show the requisite li of affection, the consistent theme is to be respectful (jing) toward parents (2.7; Xiao jing 孝經, bk.2).”

• cites Xiao jing 孝經, bk.2Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Okin proposes that Rawls's Original Position include gender among irrelevant contingencies behind the veil of ignorance.

“In order to find out the contours of just institutions of marriage and family, therefore, Okin proposes that Rawls's thought experiment in the Original Position include the gender of the participants among irrelevant contingencies that ought to be placed behind the veil of ignorance.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The patriarchal nature of the original Confucian conception of the family pales in comparison to later historical forms.

“Still, the patriarchal nature of this original conception of the Confucian family pales in comparison to what came after.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Parents must consider themselves as teachers, not as friends.

“All the while, parents must consider themselves as teachers, not as friends.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The li of pie pertaining to the spouse relation may be adhered to, but only to the extent necessary to run the household efficiently.

“It may be adhered to, but only to the extent necessary to run the household efficiently.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The key in expressing affection toward children is respect, which implies some emotional restraint.

“Again, the key is respect even in expressing affection toward children, which implies some emotional restraint.”

May combine two claims.

Both Confucianism and care ethics emphasize the role of emotions, the relational nature of persons, and the importance of maintaining relationships as a moral goal.

“Both Confucianism and care ethics emphasize the role of emotions, the relational nature of persons, and the importance of maintaining relationships as a moral goal.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Punishment may be involved in childrearing as long as it is properly, unemotionally, and fairly administered, ensuring children understand why it is appropriate.

“Punishment may be involved in this process, as long as it is properly, unemotionally, and fairly administered, making sure that children themselves understand why it is appropriate.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The development of self-esteem is crucial to enabling children to hold themselves up to high moral standards of Confucianism.

“The latter is crucial to enabling children to hold themselves up to high moral standards of Confucianism.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Ren is the most significant Confucian virtue, and the most important Confucian principle is that we ought to embody ren (the precept of ren).

“In achieving the Confucian moral ideal, the most significant Confucian virtue is ren and the most important Confucian principle is that we ought to embody ren-I call this the precept of ren.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Fuli implies restoring the proper standards/norms of each relational role according to the principle of zhongshu.

“Consequently, fuli implies restoring the proper standards/norms of each relational role according to the principle of zhongshu.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Self-cultivation is a strenuous life-long process of self-education to reach the highest stage of moral perfection, often involving pain and suffering.

“Self-cultivation is a very strenuous life-long process of self-education to reach the highest stage of moral perfection, often involving pain and suffering (Analects 8.7).”

• cites Analects 8.7Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The Confucian family may include same sex unions with children and their extended families, as the Confucian family's core function is to enable children to learn and practice ren.

“Although heterosexual couples may be the norm, the Confucian family may include same sex unions with children and their extended families, as the Confucian family's core function is to enable children to learn and practice ren.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Variations may exist in the extent to which each person engages in either sphere, depending on his or her disposition and preferences.

“Variations may exist in the extent to which each person engages in either sphere, depending on his/her disposition and preferences.”

May combine two claims.

A woman's decision to cultivate herself by concentrating more on the public sphere would be perfectly acceptable in Confucianism, as would a man's decision to cultivate himself by focusing more on the domestic sphere.

“A woman's decision to cultivate herself by concentrating more on the public sphere would be perfectly acceptable in Confucianism, as would a man's decision to cultivate himself by focusing more on the domestic sphere.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

For children to learn about and develop ren, children must experience, especially in the early stages of their lives, stable love of parents.

“In order for children to learn about and develop ren, children must experience, especially in the early stages of their lives, stable love of parents.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The representative Confucian family would be consanguineous extended families, both patrilineal and matrilineal, based on the natural feeling of love and affection.

“Concerning its outer form, the representative Confucian family would be consanguineous extended families, both patrilineal and matrilineal, based on the natural feeling of love and affection.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

A husband ought not to coerce the wife into domestic confinement, but engage in a mutually respectful conversation in order to determine her true preferences and a just division of household labor in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.

“A husband, especially if he enjoys public participation and dislikes domestic activities himself, ought not to coerce the wife into domestic confinement, but engage in a mutually respectful conversation in order to determine her true preferences and a just division of household labor in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

As moral teachers of children, parents' love toward children should be restrained, level-headed, disciplined, and respectful of children's potential as junzis.

“As moral teachers of children, parents' love toward children should be restrained, level-headed, disciplined, and respectful of children's potential as junzis.”

May combine two claims.

The parent-child relation is still central to the Confucian family, as parents are the first and most significant teachers/trainers of the Confucian virtue of ren for children.

“The parent-child relation is still central to the Confucian family, as parents are the first and the most significant teachers/trainers of the Confucian virtue of ren for children.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Given the morally justifiable diversity of human disposition, it is implausible to insist that the household division of labor ought to be predetermined unilaterally for all couples with the man focusing on the outside and the woman concentrating on the inside.

“Given the morally justifiable diversity of human disposition, it is implausible to insist that the household division of labor ought to be predetermined unilaterally for all couples with the man focusing on the outside and the woman concentrating on the inside.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Human disposition is morally justifiably diverse.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Parents must first be themselves role models of self-cultivation and Confucian virtues for children.

“Parents must first be themselves role models of self-cultivation and Confucian virtues for children.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The ideal family in care ethics may seem promising in the East Asian context.

“The ideal family in care ethics, on the other hand, may seem promising in the East Asian context.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The division of labor must be decided on a case-by-case basis.

“The division of labor must be decided on a case-by-case basis.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Women must engage in the public sphere in varying degrees, just as men must engage in the domestic sphere in varying degrees.

“Therefore, women must engage in the public sphere in varying degrees, just as men must engage in the domestic sphere in varying degrees.”

May combine two claims.

This variation should not pose a problem for Confucianism, since both spheres enable self-cultivation, provided that persons maintain a reasonable balance between the two spheres.

“This variation, however, should not pose a problem for Confucianism, since both spheres enable self-cultivation, provided that persons maintain a reasonable balance between the two spheres.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

This would still be a division of labor based on functional distinction, but the content of the division would be reversed from what is prescribed by the Mencian pie.

“This would still be a division of labor based on functional distinction, but the content of the division would be reversed from what is prescribed by the Mencian pie.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

We must apply lessons about love learned within the family to non-familial relations, albeit in a diluted fashion.

“In other words, we must apply the lessons about love learned within the family to non-familial relations, albeit in a diluted fashion.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The sexual component of the li of pie ought to be discarded, leaving each couple to decide on how to determine the division of labor.

“The sexual component ought to be discarded, leaving each couple to decide on how to determine the division of labor.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Children, as they mature, must reciprocate their parents' restrained love by expressing the proper li of affection toward their parents that requires respect and deference.

“Children, as they mature, must reciprocate their parents' restrained love by expressing the proper li of affection toward their parents that requires respect and deference.21”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The embodiment of the four virtues by preserving and developing the four beginnings is the Confucian moral ideal.

“The embodiment of the four virtues by preserving and developing the four beginnings is the Confucian moral ideal.”

May combine two claims.

The mother's role of educating the next generation to become active participants of the public sphere depends on her understanding the crucial connection between the domestic and public spheres, which is predicated on her being an active participant in the public sphere herself.

“Yet the mother's role of educating the next generation to become active participants of the public sphere depends on her understanding the crucial connection between the domestic sphere and the public sphere, which is in turn predicated on her being an active participant in the public sphere herself.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The conception of the ideal Confucian family should be predicated on its most fundamental function as the wellspring of and practicing ground for the virtue of ren for every member of the household, whether male or female.

“The conception of the ideal Confucian family should be predicated on its most fundamental function as the wellspring of and practicing ground for the virtue of ren for every member of the household, whether male or female.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

If a man who enjoys domestic affairs more than public affairs and a woman who has the opposite disposition marry, they may decide to divide their labor according to their preferences.

“If a man who enjoys domestic affairs more than public affairs and a woman who has the opposite disposition marry, they may decide to divide their labor according to their preferences.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

For those who view persons as essentially relational, the conception of persons presupposed by the justice perspective would seem too atomistic and impoverished.

“For those who view persons as essentially relational the conception of persons presupposed by the justice perspective would seem too atomistic and impoverished.”

May combine two claims.

Confucian self-cultivation occurs within the confines of human relationships, and maintaining harmonious human relationships is an integral component of it.

“Confucian self-cultivation, however, occurs within the confines of human relationships; maintaining harmonious human relationships is an integral component of it (Tu 1979b, 20, 22, 25).”

• cites Tu 1979b, 20Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Tu 1979b, 22Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Tu 1979b, 25Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

Parents' love must never be expressed in a manner that is indulgent, arbitrary, or emotional, as children must be properly disciplined to develop capacities for self-cultivation and Confucian virtues.

“Yet, parents' love must never be expressed in a manner that is indulgent, arbitrary, or emotional, as children must be properly disciplined to develop capacities for self-cultivation and Confucian virtues.”

May combine two claims.

Only a small number of persons would persist in self-cultivation throughout their lives; those who succeed may earn the title junzi.

“Given the arduousness of self-cultivation, only a small number of persons would persist in it throughout their lives; those who succeed may earn the title of junzi (君子, noble person) (cf.Mencius 6A.15; 4B.19).”

• cites Mencius 6A.15Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Mencius 4B.19Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

In this way, the ideal Confucian family would be a true learning and training ground for children of both sexes to become virtuous Confucian persons who practice ren in their interactions with others.

“In this way, the ideal Confucian family would be a true learning and training ground for children of both sexes to become virtuous Confucian persons who practice ren in their interactions with others.22”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

If a woman decides that she prefers to cultivate herself mainly in the public sphere by opting not to marry, she would still be a respectable Confucian agent, provided that she fulfills her filial and familial duties to her parents and relatives.

“Indeed, if a woman decides that she prefers to cultivate herself mainly in the public sphere by opting not to marry, she would still be a respectable Confucian agent, provided that she fulfills her filial and familial duties to her parents and relatives.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Promoting the ideal Confucian family may be more feasible in traditionally Confucian East Asia than importing and adapting foreign conceptions of the family predicated on Western values.

“I believe so, and I would like to suggest further that, at least in the traditionally Confucian East Asia, promoting this ideal may be more feasible than importing and adapting foreign conceptions of the family predicated on Western values.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The overwhelming majority in East Asia consciously or subconsciously subscribes to the Confucian conception of the self as relational and regards the family as central to their lives.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Through parents' constant and unwavering yet disciplined love, children learn to love others as well as appreciate their own worth and develop self-esteem.

“Through parents' constant and unwavering yet disciplined love, children learn to love others as well as appreciate their own worth and develop self-esteem.”

May combine two claims.

Confining women in the domestic sphere constitutes an unwarranted restriction of women's moral growth, which goes against the core Confucian precept.

“Confining women in the domestic sphere, then, constitutes an unwarranted restriction of women's moral growth, which goes against the core Confucian precept.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The vision of the family promoted by the justice perspective would seem woefully inadequate for those who view persons as essentially relational.

“Similarly, the vision of the family promoted by the justice perspective would seem woefully inadequate.”