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On The Meaning of Ritual
introduction to ritual in the xunzi, and a digression on neo-xunism
"Ritual" is everything that nourishes the heart, satisfies the senses, regulates desires, and establishes standards of good conduct which encourage, rather than force, the people to behave rightly. "Ritual" is the repository of practices that reflect yi, cultivate ren, provide proper channels for human emotions, and organize society to prevent chaos and allow for abundance. He then buttresses Confucius on both flanks, appropriating Legalist innovations in statecraft and mechanism design, along with Daoist ideas of a naturalistic universe and fluid action.
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