A Comparative Study on Max Weber’s and Fukuzawa’s Interpretation of Confucianism (2017.11)

• Author : Chi-won Choi
• Journal : The Korean Review of Political Thought
• Publisher : Korean Society for Political Thought
• Volume : 23(2)
• Publication Date : November, 2017
• Abstract : Weber and Fukuzawa explore Chinese Confucianism from the perspective of ‘Idee’ and ‘spirit’. Weber’s method is characterized by ‘value discussion’, ‘discussion of value judgment’ or ‘value interpretation’, whereas Fukuzawa’s by ‘value judgment’. Weber is skeptical about modernity and enlightenment, whereas is optimistic. Despite their different positions, they have a common view that traditional values lose their meaning in modern times. This is reflected in their understanding of Confucianism, which can be conceptualized as ‘fundamentalism’, ‘traditionalism’, ‘self-contradictory idea of rule’ and ‘the quality of philosophy’ or rationalism of patrimonial bureaucratic politics. Especially, Fukuzawa tries to ‘overthrow the traditional theory from the root’ and to ‘open a new civilization.’ In this attitude, there is reflected the position of the young warrior who despises the pedantry in Confucianism. Despite the controversy over Weber’s and Fukuzawa’s understanding of Confucianism (among other things, the so-called Western-centrism), it can be emphasized that one thing in common that they accept the ‘absolute polytheism’ of values, acknowledging the diversity of the world and showing an open attitude toward the world.

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