Confucian Role Ethics and Relational Autonomy in the Mengzi

Whether role-ethics interpretations of early Confucianism possess the resources to identify and redress gender inequality and oppression is examined here. Argued for is a conception of Confucian autonomy, grounded in Mengzi’s remarks about zhi 智 (wisdom), that is a substantive account of autonomy competency: substantive because renyi 仁義 guide junzi 君子 in determining right and wrong; a competency because it emphasizes a repertoire of skills and capabilities that include duan reactions, reflection, extension, and selfrealization through renyi. Finally, it is explained how zhi autonomy helps the role ethicist address gender oppression.