Growing Moral: A Confucian Guide to Life

by Stephen C. Angle

Ancient and enduring, rich and wide-ranging, the tradition of Confucianism offers profound insights into how we can lead good lives--lives built on understanding that we are deeply connected to one another.

For thousands of years, Confucian thinkers have carefully honed a philosophy for living fully, passing that knowledge along to their students over generations. Kongzi, also known as Confucius (551-479 BCE), is the most famous of the 2500-year-long tradition's philosophers. Though Kongzi lived more than two millennia ago and on the other side of the earth from many picking up this book, his teachings about how to live reverberate everywhere there are parents, children, and families; everywhere people feel stirrings of compassion for others, but sometimes selfishly ignore them; everywhere people wonder how they should interact with their environment.

In Growing Moral , philosopher Stephen C. Angle engages readers to reflect on and to practice the teachings of Confucianism in the contemporary world. Angle draws on the whole history of Confucianism, focusing on three thinkers from the classical era (Kongzi, Mengzi, and Xunzi) and two from the Neo-Confucian era (Zhu Xi and Wang Yangming). While laying out the fundamental teachings of Confucianism, the book highlights the enduring lessons that the philosophy offers contemporary readers.

Although the book reveals the many helpful ways we can engage Confucian philosophy in our modern lives, it also scrutinizes those elements of Confucianism that may not align with 21st-century standpoints. Angle questions whether Confucianism, historically affiliated with patriarchal societies and monarchical governments, genuinely can be attractive to those committed to gender equality and democratic politics, and points the way towards a progressive, evolving version of Confucianism that is nonetheless consistent with the principles it has upheld over the centuries.

At its core, Confucianism describes a way for humans to live and grow together in our world--a way characterized at its best by joy, beauty, and harmony. This book builds a case for modern Confucianism as a way of life well worth the attention of reflective modern readers no matter their age, where they live, or the paths they've taken so far.

Genres: Philosophy, Self Help, Nonfiction, China, Spirituality

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2022

Reviews

[Massimo Pigliucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating guide to modern Confucianism, a rare entry in the practical philosophy literature. I interviewed the Author for my Philosophy as a Way of Life podcast, and the conversation was lively and informative. The book attempts to update Confucianism to the 21st century, with particular care in areas where the philosophy is most vulnerable to criticism, such as when it comes to its emphasis on tradition and patriarchy. Regardless of whether one thinks Angle succeeded or not in his project, this is a must read for anyone interested in contemporary practical philosophy rooted in its ancient predecessors.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro on Confucianism, nice ratio of explanation and original Confucian text. I wish it would have included less theoretical explanation about why a modern Confucianism is warranted and more about practices one could use to grow morally.

[Rajan Kaushek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The philosophical novel, Growing Moral: A Confucian Guide to Life written by Stephen C. Angle’s utilizes Confucianism to express the interconnectedness of society through ancient philosophy. Furthermore, Angle reflects upon the modern applications and lessons found in Confucian philosophy. Growing Moral is a great read for those who want to explore their values and traits through a philosophical lens in its simplest form. Angle references Confucianism’s most prominent virtues such as being filial, following rituals, reflection, and mindfulness in order to leave the reader with a heightened sense of self. Interestingly enough, the novel debates the correct way to read; in the case of Growing Moral, I would recommend reading the novel in as many places as possible. A key part of the text is reflecting upon your morals and their roots. Changing the reading setting can change your perspective on your own personal virtues and the role that they serve in your ever-changing life. Growing Moral: A Confucian Guide to Life takes an unusual approach to self-improvement books. A moving approach which better suits the busy lifestyle of a working individual or student. I strongly recommend reading this book, not in one day, but spread out in many days and places.

[Katie Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

More an introduction to Confucianism, past and present, than a guide for incorporating Confucian ideas into one's life (though certainly some of that is there) - so it was simply not what I expected or was looking for at this moment. Perhaps also a bit too much emphasis on modern questions for a book that is otherwise introductory? The author writes well and is clearly knowledgeable, but it's just not clear what this is meant to be or that it achieves that vision, if there was one.

[Christian Degnboel · Rating 2 out of 5]

generally considered a social and philosophical way of life for bringing harmony to individuals and to society as a whole rather than a religious belief system (no God figure).

The author gave a good overview but he semed a bit too biased towards making the philosophy appear more modern than it traditionally has been viewed as.

Though some valueable insights, e.g. chapter on “Reading” and how one should read for changing ones views (to “embody” the readings) rather than just for knowledge

[Caomhghain · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too close to a general and how-to approach to ethics. Quite often it was so 'moral' the Confucian element got lost in vagueness and would-n't-it-be-nice-ifs.
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