Reconstructing Xunzi’s moral knowledge

Reconstructing the content of Xunzi''s (荀子) moral knowledge is the main goal of this book. A first main task of this reconstruction is to provide a clarification of the content and functions of li (禮). A second primary goal of the reconstruction is to discuss the roles and functions of the moral sage or morally superior person, junzi (君子), in Xunzi''s account of moral practice. The figure of the sage is important in explaining the rationale of li and exemplifying how to behave in accordance with the rules of proper conduct in different situations. As truth is essential to knowledge, it is crucial to understand how moral belief can be truth-apt within Xunzian theory. To that end,the doctrine is reinterpreted in terms of Railton''s subjective naturalism. In the literature on Xunzi''s moral thought, the problem of the cognitive status of moral judgment has been neglected, and this book attempts to remedy this oversight.