On Multiple Significances Of The Concept Of Jing In The Analects

In the Analects,the idea of "Respect"(jing敬)has its multiple significances in its connection to "Ghosts and Gods","Fate(ming命)", "Propriety(li礼)","Official Duties(shi事)" and "Self-Cultivation(xiuji修己)": fear of the supernatural(holy beings),compliance with external inevitability, respect for others(individuality),seriousness to work and life,caution on self-cultivation.Therefore,the idea of Respect has universal significance and value.As to fear of the supernatural including ghosts and gods,Respect relates inherently to the relationship between Heaven and Human.Here,"Fear" not only metaphysically implies the confirmation with the transcendental and the sanctity,but also means the alienation of ghosts and gods.That is to say,a person should start from the reality situation,act on personnel activities (specific and real),which highlightes the active role of the Subject,rational values and sense of responsibility.The implication of "Respect" varies with that of "Fate".On the one hand,if "fate" is interpreted as the trend of human history,"Respect" means that the subject complies with the external inevitability and laws.On the other hand, "Respect" shows that the individual has an attitude of obedience with the reality experiences and the objective conditions,if the "fate" is seen as a chance.So that,connected to "Fate",which presents the duality:one is "Irresistible",the other "Powerless","Respect" indicates that the subject plays an active part in the actual practice."Respect",which is related to "Propriety",not only means compliance with the established norms,but also shows multi-dimensions of Father-Son, friend-friend,superior-subordinate.In other words,"Respect" implies(1) individual sincere respect which starts from the intrinsic emotion and psychological,(2)interpersonal respect to others' personality and dignity,(3) moral principle that individual has the double pursuit,namely,rightness(in principle)and suitability(moral principles in concrete situations of the modifications).Associated with "Official duties","Respect" in one's life firstly demands that the subject join the reality positively,and treats each one thing on hand seriously.At the same time,"Respect" implies that a man should respect and care for the particularity of matter itself.As far as "Self-Cultivation" is concerned,"Respect" has two significances. First,it means that one sets strict demands on himself in the absence of external pressure to force and always behaves consistently before and after the public,without seeking praise of the others.Second,relevant to "Sincerity", "Respect" means that one should act seriously and conscientiously to bring himself up and make others matured,reflecting the reality of the value of his activities.In this sense,"Respect" is to improve self-virtue and social responsibility simultaneously."Benevolence"(ren仁)is the core of Confucius' thoughts.The unity of "Benevolence" and "Wisdom"(zhi智)reflects the reunification between the principle of humanity and the principle of rationality.Relevant to the spirits, "Official duties" and others,"Respect" in the Analects also demonstrates the principle of humanity and rational principle which are the unity.Associated with the humanity principle,"Respect" has multiple connotations:relative to the "Fate"(tian'ming天命),"Respect" is to confirm the capacity of the human beings,including the subjectivity,initiative and the ability.From the perspective of Nature(zi'ran自然),"Respect" is to recognize the value of the creation activities of his own,having a strong sense of social and practical value.As far as one is concerned himself,"Respect" embodies the essence of the Human, identifies the dignity and equal value.So,related to "Wisdom" and "justice"(yi义),"Respect" is an important concept in the Analects.