Heavenly Child thus said, this is the hierarchy of self-actualization! not hierarchy of the society, get it?
Confucian Hierarchy of Four Types of People
Confucianism envisions a hierarchy of personal and societal development, defined by individuals’ capacities to embody and extend virtue, starting with the most accomplished (sages) and progressing to those striving for self-cultivation (disciples). Below is an explanation of these four types, their inner cultivation (nei sheng, 内圣) and external governance (wai wang, 外王), along with their shared foundational virtues.
1. First Type: Sages (圣人)
- Role: Sages aim to illuminate virtue (明明德) across the world.
- Process:
- Inner Cultivation: This involves a six-step reflective process marked by six "先" (first/precede) as stages of introspection and self-correction.
- External Governance: Once inner virtue is achieved, sages proceed to a seven-step active process marked by seven "而后" (and then) to extend this virtue outward, achieving universal harmony (天下平, peace under heaven).
2. Second Type: Worthies (贤人)
- Role: Worthies assist sages and safeguard virtue within the nation.
- Process:
- Inner Cultivation: A five-step reflective process marked by five "先" for personal introspection and self-improvement.
- External Governance: They then undertake a six-step active process marked by six "而后" to bring governance and stability to the nation (治国, governing the nation).
3. Third Type: Exemplary Individuals (君子)
- Role: Exemplary individuals assist worthies and safeguard virtue within the family unit.
- Process:
- Inner Cultivation: A four-step reflective process marked by four "先" for self-refinement.
- External Governance: They then engage in a five-step active process marked by five "而后" to cultivate harmony and prosperity within the family (齐家, regulating the family).
4. Fourth Type: Confucian Disciples (儒家弟子)
- Role: Disciples admire the exemplary individuals and focus on safeguarding virtue within themselves.
- Process:
- Inner Cultivation: A three-step reflective process marked by three "先" for personal self-cultivation.
- External Governance: This progresses into a four-step active process marked by four "而后" to manifest self-discipline and virtuous behavior (修身, cultivating the self).
5. Common Foundation: Inner Virtue as the Root
Across all four types, inner virtue is cultivated through interconnected processes:
5.1. Rectifying the Heart (正心)
- Reflective Process: Two steps to correct one’s inner thoughts.
- Active Process: Three steps to extend this rectification into behavior.
5.2. Sincerity of Intention (诚意)
- Reflective Process: One step of introspection to align intentions.
- Active Process: Two steps to ensure actions are true to intentions.
5.3. Attaining Knowledge (致知)
- Rooted in Investigating Things (格物):
- Reflective Process: Grounded in the immediate, without further retreat (0 steps).
- Active Process: Builds toward fully attained knowledge (1 step).
5.4. Investigating Things (格物)
- Within Attaining Knowledge:
- Reflective Process: Integral to cultivating knowledge (0 steps).
- Active Process: Makes manifest one’s innate moral conscience, demonstrating no additional steps are required for externalization.
Summary of the Four Types
Confucian development revolves around inner cultivation as a precursor to external action. The stages progress from introspective refinement to societal harmony:
- Sages (天下平 - Peace under heaven): 6 reflective + 7 active steps.
- Worthies (治国 - Governing the nation): 5 reflective + 6 active steps.
- Exemplary Individuals (齐家 - Regulating the family): 4 reflective + 5 active steps.
- Disciples (修身 - Cultivating the self): 3 reflective + 4 active steps.
At every level, the path from self-cultivation to societal contribution reflects Confucianism’s emphasis on moral responsibility and the continuous interplay of personal virtue and external harmony.
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