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Superior Man versus the Superior Person

The Period of Warring States was a turbulent time in China's history. As feudal lords fought for power, a large number of philosophies emerged to make sense of life in trying times. Among the most notable of these burgeoning schools of thought were Confucianism and Daoism which, along with Buddhism, would become known as The Three Teachings in ancient China. 

Confucius handing a baby Guatama Buddha to the elderly Laozi, 
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=858723

Confucianism and Daoism were both born from the idea that a healthy, thriving society needs to be in harmony with the natural order (for Confucianism that was the natural order of society and human relationships, for Daoism that was the natural order of man's relationship with nature). The two schools also agreed that this ideal required specific kinds of people to see it through. "Like the Confucianists, the Daoists believed that the solution depended on the fashioning of a "new person"." (Bresnan 342) However, how each school defined this "new person" would highlight the differences between the two philosophies.

The Superior Man (junzi) is referred to as "the heart and soul of the Confucian system." (Bresnan 332) This person was to be knowledgeable in history, dignified, self-confident, well rounded, compassionate, and very well mannered. The Superior Man would not be born this way but would become so by consciously working hard to cultivate these virtues. Above all, the Superior Man would understand that it was their duty to seek a role in government to inspire their subjects and bring about a more unified world. 

Portrait of Confucius
Wu Daozi, 685-758, Tang Dynasty., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Confucius believed in a hierarchical structure in social relationships (ruler/subject, father/son, elder brother/younger brother, etc) with each performing their role creating symbiosis, with the more dominant role leading by example. Confucius maintained that by being ruled by virtuous men, subjects would observe that behavior and would, in turn, respond by also behaving virtuously, leading to a thriving community. This meant "Such superior persons, men of junzi, occupying positions of leadership would be able to restore harmony and prosperity to Chinese society." (Bresnan 314)  In my opinion, it doesn't seem like this ideal has much application in the modern world. Particularly in the American political system where money and popularity pave the way to power and often doesn't have any reflection on the virtues of the candidate.


Like Confucianism, Daoism also expresses the need for people with certain characteristics to guide humanity back into harmony. Outlining the similarities and differences between Confucianism's Superior Man and Daoism's Superior Person helps one to see how these two philosophies were similarly influenced by the tumultuous Warring States Period but saw different paths to fixing society. Lao Tzu, the founder of Daoism, based his philosophy on the Dao (the way of things). Dao is the source of all existence, somewhat similar to Brahman for Hinduism. The key was to live in sync with the Dao and not fight against the natural flow of things. Fighting against the natural order of all things leads to chaos and suffering, as was being experienced in the Warring States Period. 

Lao Tzu riding an ox
National Palace Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Superior Person, in Lao Tzu's mind, would be a master in the art of living in harmony with nature. They would be humble, cheerful, content with what life provides, connected to nature and would live modestly, without attachment to material things. "The Daoist master is completely natural, completely spontaneous; he goes with the flow of life without excessively trying to control it." (Bresnan 342) As with Confucianism, these traits would make the Superior Person best suited to lead, to guide and not force, humanity back into alignment with nature. "Only a true master, only a man or woman fully in harmony with Dao, is fit to be a leader." (Bresnan 343) 


Both the Superior Man and Superior Person were intended to help lead humanity out of the disorder caused by the excesses and greed of rulers in the Warring States Period. However, Daoists saw Confucianism as making that path too complex and formalized rather than free flowing and natural. The Superior Man valued hierarchy and selflessness for the benefit of the ruled. For the Superior Man, the government played a critical role in providing structure to the people and leading them by example.  On the other hand, the Superior Person valued connection to nature and fluidity. Government was just a necessary evil where the rulers should serve by guiding the people and not through overly complex structure and formality. I find both concepts to have merit but at this point in time, given the fervent politicizing of every issue in America, I lean more in favor of Daoism and a society that's more connected to nature and less focused on an elite group ruling, no matter how virtuous they may be.


Works Cited

Bresnan, Patrick S. Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. 6th ed., Routledge, 2018.


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