Tu Weiming, one of the most influential Confucian thinkers of the 20^th and 21^st centuries, contributed to the drafting process of the Earth Charter bringing Confucian thoughts of the importance of interconnectedness and community into its principles. In this conversation he talks about Confucianism, how it can apply to our current societal and environmental challenges, and how it relates to the Earth Charter.

He also discusses the importance of self-cultivation or “learning to be human” within Confucianism. He emphasizes that the purpose of this it not to attain inner happiness or develop individualism. Rather, the emphasis is on the communal act and becoming part of a network of relationships in four dimensions, the self, community, Earth, and heaven.

1. Can you explain the Confucian view of human flourishing which involves four dimensions of our relationship the Confucian perspective of learning (and living) as a communal act?
2. Can you share some of the key ideas of Confucianism?
3. In your article “Ecological Implications of Confucian Humanism”, you stated that the primary purpose of Confucian moral education is character building. Could you talk about this?
4. Can you talk about similarities we can find between Confucianism and the Earth Charter?
5. What are the synergies and differences between Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism?
6. How can Chinese philosophies or belief systems help us address some of the social and environmental challenges that we currently face? Especially regarding building an ecological civilization?
7. You have said that Confucianism and western philosophy and religion can learn from each other without losing the heritage of either. Can you talk more about this?
8. You have engaged in a number of civilizational dialogues, saying that different cultures can learn from each other and develop a global or Earth ethic in a new Axial Age. Can you discuss the urgent need to engage in civilizational dialogue?