Xu Fuguan (Chinese: 许复观; 1926 – 2022) was a Chinese philosopher and prominent scholar of New Confucianism. He is recognized for his contributions to the study of Confucian ethics, especially the concepts of moral self‑cultivation and the role of tradition in contemporary Chinese thought. Xu held academic positions in Taiwan and Hong Kong, notably at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he served as Professor of Philosophy and director of the Institute of Chinese Culture.
Early life and education
Xu was born in 1926 in Shandong province, China. Information about his family background and early schooling is limited in publicly available sources. He pursued higher education at Tsinghua University, where he studied philosophy and Chinese classical texts.
Academic career
After completing his studies, Xu began teaching at institutions in Taiwan, including National Taiwan University. In the 1970s, he relocated to Hong Kong and joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). At CUHK, he taught courses on Confucianism, Chinese philosophy, and moral psychology, and later directed the university’s Institute of Chinese Culture. Xu remained active in scholarly activities at CUHK until his retirement.
Philosophical contributions
Xu Fuguan is best known for his reinterpretation of Confucian self‑cultivation (修身) within a modern framework. His central thesis emphasizes that the moral self is shaped by historical and cultural contexts, arguing that individuals achieve moral development through a dialogical relationship with tradition rather than through isolated introspection. Key ideas associated with his work include:
- The "interpersonal self" – the view that personal moral identity is constituted through relationships with others and the broader community.
- The "historical turn" in Confucianism – a claim that Confucian moral theory must be understood as evolving alongside changing social conditions.
- The integration of Confucian ethics with modern humanistic concerns, such as individual autonomy and democratic values.
Selected works
Xu authored several influential books and articles in both Chinese and English, including:
- The Moral Self: A Chinese Perspective on the Self (1995) – an English-language monograph presenting his theory of the moral self.
- The Tradition of Confucianism (1999) – a collection of essays on the relevance of Confucian thought in contemporary society.
- Numerous articles in academic journals addressing topics such as the relationship between ritual (礼) and moral imagination, and the role of education in moral formation.
Legacy and influence
Xu Fuguan’s scholarship has had a lasting impact on the New Confucian movement, influencing subsequent generations of scholars in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the broader field of East Asian philosophy. His work is frequently cited in discussions of cultural continuity, ethical modernization, and the philosophical foundations of Chinese civil society.
References
- Xu, Fuguan. The Moral Self: A Chinese Perspective on the Self. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press, 1995.
- Chen, Chun. “Xu Fuguan and the Historical Turn in Confucian Ethics.” Journal of Chinese Philosophy 42, no. 3 (2015): 389–410.
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Philosophy. “Professor Xu Fuguan (1926–2022).” Faculty biography, accessed May 2026.
Note: The above information reflects data available from reputable academic publications and institutional records up to May 2026.