The Religious Import of Confucian Philosophy: Its Traditional Outlook and Contemporary Significance

Abstract

In this connection, Paul Tillich's doctrine of religious faith as ul timate concern perhaps points toward a new and promising direction.l The Confucian tradition certainly has its unique way of expressing its ultimate and therefore religious concern. The present essay is an attempt to uncover the religious import in Confucian philosophy and to ascertain its meaning in contemporary discussions of theology and philosophy of religion. First, I shall trace the development of the Confucian religious attitude and point out its general characteristics; second, I shall compare this attitude with the Christian attitude; third, I shall discuss its contemporary significance with reference to the current development of theology and religious philosophy in the West; finally, I shall make some general remarks upon the relevance of religious teaching to today's situation.