On Confucius' Identity

Culture diversity often brings tension and anxiety to individual identity. However, Confucius achieved the unity of different cultures in his identity. In Zhou Dynasty, Confucius was an offspring of the King of Shang Dynasty, and in State Lu he was an immigrant from State Song. But he identified himself totally with Zhou Culture and State Lu, thereby showing the unity between Zhou and Shang cultures. Additionally, Confucius went hither and thither for recovering the rite system of Zhou Dynasty. As a positive social activist, he not only accepted new rites while inheriting traditions; but also appreciated the reclusive attitude towards life. Thus, Confucius' idea about Goodness ("Ren") was the base for him to harmonize different cultures and ideas, and Confucius' method to "follow the exact way between the two extremes" (the Golden Mean or "Zhongyong") was an important culture selection mode to achieve his identity.