that the Confucian adherent should strive towards. Specifically, this is the highest standard of religious, moral, and social conduct that can be attained by humanity, which could include elements of propriety, reverence, courtesy, and ritual among human beings in different relationships to each other. The second principle, Jen, focuses on horizontal human relations as manifested in goodness and benevolence. Adherents to this principle are to display these principles towards others without prejudice and without regard for social rank or class. This is the fundamental Confucian structure for social interaction, and it exemplified in what Zukeran refers to as the "Silver Rule": "Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you" (quoted from Analects 15:23). Finally, the principle of Chun-Tzu focuses on the inner principles that should be cultivated within the self in order to function as a Confucian within society. This is the principle of being a true gentleman, and includes five basic virtues: self-respect, generosity, sincerity, persistence, and benevolence. In summary, the focus narrows from Li to Chun-Tzu, with Li being very generalized and including the whole of the Confucian philosophy, Jen focusing on inter-human relationships, and Chun-Tzu on the individual effort to improve him- or herself towards the improvement of relationships.
             In Confucianism, relationships define the individual, and all personal ambition should be towards optimizing these relationships. There is no individual soul or self; indeed, all persons are defined by their roles within their relationships. This is the premise upon which the Confucian morality is built: Human goodness is manifest in acting appropriately within the boundaries of human relationship. Each person should strive to fulfill his or her roles to display the virtues as defined by Confucius.
             According to Confucian philosophy, human beings are fund...