Abstract

Recent attention to Confucianism takes Western virtue ethics as a way of focusing Neo-Confucianism in general and Zhang Zai in particular. This paper will summarize some recent views of virtue ethics and apply them to Zhang Zai’s theories. The paper will begin with an account of Neo-Confucianism, in particular the ideal state of development towards sagehood. Aspects of virtue ethics as it concerns this theme in areas of philosophical psychology and developmental theories will be introduced. Finally Western virtue ethics will be applied to selected themes in Zhang Zai, specifically the aspects of practical wisdom emphasized by strands of virtue ethics is foundationally relevant to the moral philosophy of Zhang Zai. I hope to suggest by comparing and contrasting Zhang Zai’s views with more recent aspects of virtue ethics that the Chinese scholar’s views now deserve renewed attention.