Confucian Strong Harmony and Human Rights

In this chapter, I will argue that (1) the Confucian conception of harmony is a higher order concept that is more comprehensive and more fundamental than human rights; (2) Confucian harmony encompasses social rules, and appropriate social rules in modern times include human rights; (3) in contemporary society as it has evolved, Confucian harmony cannot be achieved without human rights. I will first problematize the issue of harmony and human rights in the context of justice and provide a solution by developing an enhanced notion of strong harmony. On the view developed here, if we understand the Confucian ideal of social harmony as a rich and dynamic concept, as strong harmony, we will see that its realization in today’s world not only leaves ample room for human rights but also requires it as a key component.