Sociability of ‘Selfishness’ and Individualism in Chinese Modern Thought and Society

Abstract

The debate on the sociability of self-interest has resonated through diverse cultures and epochs, with particular relevance to the ongoing discourse concerning the resurgence of Confucian thought and the evolution of individuality within contemporary Chinese society. Li Zhi (1527–1602) brings forth a novel perspective with his concept of innate ‘selfishness’. Li’s proposition offers a profound exploration of the human psyche. His reinterpretation of ‘selfishness’ resonates with modern psychological terminology, bearing resemblance to concepts such as ‘self-motivation’ and the ‘flow experience’, in alignment with the economic development and social mobility of the mid-Ming era. However, it also fosters an awareness of interconnectedness with all beings, as epitomized by the concept of oneness. This emerging paradigm of self calls for a comparative analysis with the trajectory of individualism in modern and contemporary China. From a cross-cultural perspective, Li’s proposition grapples with challenges that have perplexed thinkers across diverse civilizations, echoing the discourse in modern Europe regarding the paradox of ‘unsocial sociability’.