摘要
Roger Ames＇s Confucian Role Ethics.＂ A Vocabulary, is an ambitious and significant exposition of Confucianism. Despite my disagreements with some of Ames＇s interpretation of Confucius, I have both enjoyed this book and learned a lot from it. Due to the limited scope of this review, I restrict it to an evaluation of Ames＇s exposition of the highest Confucian virtue, ren 4Y-. By Ames＇s own account, this book does not offer an alternative ethical theory, but a Confucian account of human flourishing, which begins with the roles and relations in the family. These roles and relations provide the basis of morality for Ames, as they not only constitute us but also enable us to become virtuous, respond appropriately in any situation, and enhance our relationships. In Ames＇s own words, we are ＂interrelated persons living a multiplicity of roles that constitute who we are, and ... allow us to pursue a unique distinctiveness and virtuosity in our conduct＂ （122） and ＂Confucian role ethics takes the substance of morality to be nothing more or less than positive growth in the constitutive relations of any particular situation＂ （258）.
Roger Ames＇s Confucian Role Ethics.＂ A Vocabulary, is an ambitious and significant exposition of Confucianism. Despite my disagreements with some of Ames＇s interpretation of Confucius, I have both enjoyed this book and learned a lot from it. Due to the limited scope of this review, I restrict it to an evaluation of Ames＇s exposition of the highest Confucian virtue, ren 4Y-. By Ames＇s own account, this book does not offer an alternative ethical theory, but a Confucian account of human flourishing, which begins with the roles and relations in the family. These roles and relations provide the basis of morality for Ames, as they not only constitute us but also enable us to become virtuous, respond appropriately in any situation, and enhance our relationships. In Ames＇s own words, we are ＂interrelated persons living a multiplicity of roles that constitute who we are, and ... allow us to pursue a unique distinctiveness and virtuosity in our conduct＂ （122） and ＂Confucian role ethics takes the substance of morality to be nothing more or less than positive growth in the constitutive relations of any particular situation＂ （258）.
