How Confucius Changed My Mind

Book Review

Charles B. Jones’s How Confucius Changed My Mind is an engaging and deeply reflective exploration of Confucian thought and its relevance in the modern world. As a scholar who began his journey into Confucianism when teaching East Asian religions to undergraduates, Jones takes readers on a personal intellectual journey, weaving together his academic insights with the transformative power of Confucian ideas.

The book is not just an introduction to Confucianism; it is a testament to how ancient wisdom can provide clarity and direction for contemporary life. Jones presents Confucianism as a philosophical path to self-discovery and moral growth. By focusing on key Confucian concepts such as sincerity, self-cultivation, and the idea of the "princely man," Jones offers a fresh and approachable perspective that challenges our cultural assumptions about what it means to be human.

One of the most striking elements of the book is Jones’s ability to connect Confucian teachings to universal human questions: What does it mean to live a good life? How can we understand human nature and our place in the world? Jones does not shy away from addressing complex issues like the meaning of sincerity, the importance of ritual, and the quest for moral integrity, but he presents them in a way that resonates with readers who may not have prior knowledge of Chinese philosophy.

Jones also highlights the dynamic nature of Confucian thought, particularly through the lens of Confucius’s followers like Mencius and Xunzi. He doesn’t just present Confucianism as a static tradition; he emphasizes the evolution of ideas over time and the ways in which Confucian philosophy has adapted to different historical and cultural contexts. This approach makes the book both informative and thought-provoking, as Jones demonstrates how these ideas have shaped and continue to shape not just East Asian societies, but also global thought.

In particular, Jones dives into the Confucian concept of cheng (sincerity), showing how it evolves from its early usage in Confucius’s teachings to its fuller, almost mystical interpretation in the Doctrine of the Mean. He explains that cheng is not merely about being truthful, but about aligning one’s inner thoughts and external actions with the moral order of the universe. This exploration is not only intellectually stimulating but also offers practical advice for anyone striving for authenticity and moral clarity in their life.