A necessary part of communication through language is that
both parties agree on the meaning of the words which they are using;
otherwise confusion results. If Confucius thought that the word another
man was using did not mean the same thing to him as to the other, he
would ask him his definition of it. Zizhang asked about the knight who
is to be called "influential." Confucius replied, "That
depends on what you mean by 'influential.'" It turns out that
Zizhang's idea of the word was really much closer to the common meaning
of the word "famous." Whereupon Confucius proceeded to describe how
the Chinese word for "influential" implies the effective use of
virtue (moral power) while anyone with a cocky manner and a reputation,
without necessarily any good conduct, might become famous.56 Confucius
spent considerable time with his students describing what he meant by
various key terms so that they could understand them and apply them in
practice. This clarification of language was later to become the
important Confucian doctrine known as the "rectification of
names." Confucius was adamant that the mental communication
correspond to the actual reality, even in small matters such as the name
of a container. "A cornered vessel without any corners! Should it
be called a cornered vessel? Should it?"57
The Rectification of Names (Chinese: 正名; pinyin: Zhèngmíng; Wade–Giles: Cheng-ming) in the Confucianism doctrine means to know one's roles in the web of relationships that creates a community, and behaving accordingly so as to ensure social harmony. [1] Since [social harmony] is of utmost importance, without the proper rectification of names, society would essentially crumble and "undertakings [would] not [be] completed." [2]
Confucius believed that social disorder often stemmed from failure to perceive, understand, and deal with reality. Fundamentally, then, social disorder can stem from the failure to call things by their proper names, and his solution to this was the rectification of names. He gave an explanation to one of his disciples:
A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish. When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect.
Zi-lu said,
"The ruler of Wei has been waiting for you, in order with you to
administer the government. What will you consider the first thing to be done?"
The Master replied, "What is necessary to rectify names."
"So! indeed!" said Zi-lu. "You are wide off the mark! Why must there be such rectification?"
The Master said, "How uncultivated you are, Yu! A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve.
If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.
If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success.
When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish.
When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded.
When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot.
Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect."
(Analects XIII, 3, tr. Legge)
The Master replied, "What is necessary to rectify names."
"So! indeed!" said Zi-lu. "You are wide off the mark! Why must there be such rectification?"
The Master said, "How uncultivated you are, Yu! A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve.
If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.
If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success.
When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish.
When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded.
When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot.
Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect."
(Analects XIII, 3, tr. Legge)
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