ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relevance of pre-Qin Confucian ethics to contemporary debates on individual autonomy and liberalism. Some commentators have argued that Confucianism can support these values with certain modifications, while others hold that Confucianism already contains the necessary resources for liberal values and human rights. By analyzing these diverse perspectives, the chapter aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the degree to which classical Confucianism supports liberal values. More specifically, the views of Confucius and Mencius on choice will be compared to Aristotle’s theory of choice to shed light on the degree of freedom of choice they endorse. Furthermore, due to Aristotle’s and these early Confucians’ shared endorsement of a virtue-oriented ethics, comparing them offers relevant resources regarding the degree of freedom their ethics support. Ultimately, this chapter argues that Confucianism contains resources that support individual freedom and human rights without needing to be modified to fit contemporary values.
