ABSTRACT
Xu Fuguan (徐复观), as a representative of the New Confucianism, has made great efforts to expound the significance of Confucian political philosophy in modern times. He strives to find the inner connection between the quintessence of Confucian political philosophy and the spirit of modern democracy, and, by deeply exploring the positive values of Confucian political philosophy, tries to remedy and rectify the spiritual foundation of modern democracy. By thoroughly criticizing the Legalists (fajia, 法家) he has cleaned up the pollution of Confucian political philosophy in history. This chapter will, in light of Xu’s elaboration of the political thought of several great Confucians in history, bring to light his work on exploring the spiritual depth of Confucian political philosophy, so that, finally, we can through his analysis of Confucian political philosophy take a glance at his own ideal of political philosophy and its theoretical blind spots.
