Confucius's Paradigm Shaping of Chinese Philosophy

Abstract: This paper begins with Confucius's treatment of the Six Classics to explore his foundational role and paradigmatic significance in the history of Chinese philosophy. Although Classic of Changes is considered the root of Chinese philosophy,Confucius,through the principle of “transmitting but not creating” （述而不作）and the specific approach of “not discussing anomalies,feats of strength,disorder,or spiritual beings” （不语怪力乱神）,achieved a breakthrough transformation of ancient civilization,establishing the basic paradigm of the “interfusion of classics and history” （经史合一）in Chinese philosophy. Confucius's philosophy takes “knowing ming （destiny ）” （知命）and “junzi” （君子）as its fundamental dimensions,pointing to the cognition of objective existence and the establishment of subjective being. “Rectifying names” （正名）and “loss and gain” （损益）embody his linguistic tools for transforming the world and his principles of historical continuity,emphasizing the rationality and continuity of institutions and discourse. “Desiring ren” （欲仁）and “returning to li” （复礼）reveal the ontological structure of ren within and li without,awakening the social instinct of human beings and regulating it with li,thus forming a unified cycle of internal impetus and external norms. Confucius's philosophy ultimately points to the completion of life. He not only established a philosophical paradigm for Chinese philosophy but also,through his own life,embodied junzi as a living exemplar. These two aspects together constitute the distinctive characteristics of Chinese philosophy.