ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the major Confucian classics in explicating the Confucian vision. The Confucian vision of harmony or peace is closely related to the Chinese way of thinking, which sees opposites as complementing each other and the ideal state as a healthy balance of opposites. Peace is a state of flourishing and development constituted by multiple divergent and competing elements. The Confucian vision of peace is constituted not by imposing an order or a state of stability on different parties, but by giving due recognition to all parties concerned. The chapter covers some common Chinese expressions on the relation between opposites: mutually opposing and mutually accomplishing; mutually conflicting and mutually complementing; and mutually generating and mutually eliminating. From the Confucian perspective, true peace is attained not by imposing an ideal order on the world, but by giving enough room and support to everyone, such that everyone has a part to play and contribute.