The question over whether morality is objective / subjective is itself as tricky to ponder.

I’ve been exploring moral philosophy in both Western and Chinese perspectives for years now, and honestly I don’t feel that I’m any closer to understanding it for myself.

Certainly there is a preponderance of the ‘subjective’ approach within Neo-Confucian thought, which is somewhat of a departure from original Confucian thinking. And whilst I feel that approach makes the most sense, I can still always pose an argument against it.

The central piece of that approach was linked with the idea of one’s true nature, and that one’s personal moral compass is determined by this.

But then, is human nature inherently ‘good’ or ‘bad’?

What if ‘good nature’ is ruined by ‘bad nurture’....? And vice versa?

What if someone’s true nature is to be a murderer, or rapist? How do we as a community deal with the fact that there are those among us who genuinely are not fulfilled unless they behave in such anti-social ways?

That all of course does not presuppose that maybe ‘murder’ is normal and ok, and the rest of us have it wrong....

In short, trying to impose moral order is just so tricky when we as a species and a civilisation haven’t worked it out yet.

However, I think we need to try.

And like everything else in life, we’ll work it out from our mistakes. Hopefully.

This is where there is one concept in Chinese philosophy that maybe holds the key to bringing this all together.

Most folks have probably come across the concept of 無為 wúwéi — or ‘effortless action’.

Linked with this concept is that part of being ‘effortless’ is action that also does not restrict or constrain the capacity for an other to act in such way.

I’ve been trying to use this filter for my own decision-making... and I’m not going to say it’s easy. But it’s been an interesting exercise. It has certainly stayed my hand on several occasions.

So I guess if we want to assume subjective morality... perhaps there is alongside that a great responsibility with how we walk through life and interact with others in a society.

Just some thoughts, thanks for bringing this up.

😊🙏🏽☯️