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An Examination of Li Zehou's Theory of Two Moralities

Author(s)

Qiongwen Hu

Affiliation(s)

College of Humanities and Foreign Languages, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Abstract

Li Zehou’s ethical thought is centered on the “Theory of Two Moralities”. His interpretation of this theory evolved across different stages: prior to traditional society, there was no distinction between the two moralities; both are products of history, suited to their specific epochs. With the advent of modern society, modern social morality and traditional religious morality have become separated and distinct. In fact, Li's “Theory of Two Moralities” was gradually developed under the influence of John Rawls’s Political Liberalism. He proposed using this theory to deconstruct the original structure of Confucianism, aiming to construct a “new way of inner sageliness and outer kingliness”. Although it is often constrained and guided by traditional religious morality, we should value the guiding role of religious morality's emotional dimension. Simultaneously, it is crucial to master the art of the “proper measure”, respect individual value, and promote social progress.

Keywords

Li Zehou; Theory of Two Moralities; Religious Morality; Social Morality

References

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