Democracy without Autonomy: Moral and Personal Autonomy in Democratic Confucianism

A viable democratic Confucianism must contend with the contemporary importance of autonomy. Chan’s reconstruction says it accepts some forms of moral autonomy, while personal autonomy is not necessary; however, his theory lacks genuine moral autonomy while relying on the exercise of personal autonomy. The respective absence and presence of moral and personal autonomy raise questions about whether Confucianism and democracy can be reconciled in the way that Chan proposes—and if not, how.