Confucian nurturing doctrine of xin (heart‐mind): Its enlightenment to organization research

Abstract

Purpose

Confucian nurturing doctrine of xin (heart‐mind) comprehensively illustrates the importance of emerging state of feelings, which are the antecedents of organizational and individual behaviors. This introductory paper seeks to provide meaningful references for the management education and research trends like organizational justice and emotional intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Confucian nurturing doctrine of xin (heart‐mind), this paper analyzes: the connotation of xin, qing (emotions/feelings) as the manifestation of xing (nature) by xin, and the cultivation of xin. Accordingly, the authors propose the holistic man model based on emotions.

Findings

The holistic man model based on emotions contains natural, social, moral, and transcendental dimensions. Self‐cultivation is significant for management practices and education.

Research limitations/implications

As a conceptual essay, the statements in the paper need further argument and exploration.

Practical implications

A referential hypothetical model of human nature based on Confucian nurturing doctrine of xin can make people have transcendent aspiration in their daily life and focus on the unity of individuals' natural feelings and moral cultivation. In this case, people can live an integrated, meaningful and healthy life based on their emerging state of emotions, which are the antecedents of the transactional, instrumental, and procedural regulations.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the notions of the holistic man based on emotions and emerging state of emotions by referring to Confucian nurturing doctrine of xin (heart‐mind).

Citation

Wei, H. and Li, S. (2011), "Confucian nurturing doctrine of xin (heart‐mind): Its enlightenment to organization research", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 30 No. 7/8, pp. 753-765. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621711111150254