There are different variants of contemporary Confucianism. This paper offers an analytical tool that allows their comparison as well as differentiation while respecting each’s philosophical tenets: a 2×2 matrix. This matrix-a technique usually appl...
There are different variants of contemporary Confucianism. This paper offers an analytical tool that allows their comparison as well as differentiation while respecting each’s philosophical tenets: a 2×2 matrix. This matrix-a technique usually applied in social sciences-is constructed here from a philosophical perspective. It focuses on two axes of differentiation, each representing a spectrum: The first locates a particular set of ideas and its relationship to Confucianism. This is the axis of inclusion. This axis of the matrix is about the philosophical argument on how a variant counts itself as Confucian. The second axis relates to the role of Confucianism in the public sphere, as advocated by a specific variant. This second axis of the matrix is the axis of intention. This paper applies the matrix on two variants of contemporary Confucianism revivalism, namely those proposed by Fang Keli and Fan Ruiping.