The problem of order in the political thought of Mencius and Aristotle : a comparative study
Abstract
This dissertation focuses on the problem of order in the political thought of
Aristotle and the Confucian philosopher Mencius. It attempts to reconstruct this
ancient and perennial problématique by investigating its etymological,
cosmological, metaphysical, psychological, ethical, and political implications. It
argues that order was conceived in both authors as the combination of normative
and aesthetic aspects, and that rational as well non-rational elements need to be
taken into account in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the
question. Unlike modern renditions of the problem, which put emphasis on either
of the two aspects, it is argued that Aristotle and Mencius were similarly concerned
about accounting for a more inclusive interpretation of order, one which
overcomes well-known dichotomies such as transcendence/immanence,
unity/multiplicity, body/mind. Moreover, while equating order with goodness and
beauty, they were also aware of the limits of order in practical contexts. The
problem of order, on the one hand, has its unifying theme in the abstraction of a
universal moral norm; on the other hand, because order always necessarily implies
some degree of disorder, it also possesses an inherently contextual and practical
dimension. In this last respect, both Aristotle and Mencius held complex and
sophisticated views on the moral psychology, which represents the link between a
metaphysical conception of order and its socio-political instantiation. The problem
of order, it is argued, provides a very fruitful case for comparing the ancient Greek
and Chinese traditions of thought, and for rethinking the very concept of order in
political theory and international relations. In particular, order represent a notion
which avoids, more than other concepts, the risk of essentialism, reification, or of
imposition of alien schemes of thought upon different cultural traditions.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Embargo Date: 2021-11-01
Embargo Reason: Thesis restricted in accordance with University regulations. Print and electronic copy restricted until 1st November 2021
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