Design for harmony
with Confucius
Think outside the box, they say. Easier said than done. But what if the key is to change the box instead? Each box is shaped by its time, culture, and place—and philosophers are the ultimate custodians of perspective. Let’s borrow their wisdom and shift our thinking, one philosopher at a time.
Please note that what follows is not a rigorous philosophical treatise, but rather a designer’s attempt to translate Confucius’s wisdom into a framework for creative problem-solving. This exercise serves two purposes: first, to deepen my understanding of philosophy and its relevance to design; and second, to share these ideas with other designers as a way to inspire fresh perspectives and novel approaches. If you’re intrigued, have feedback, or want to collaborate, I’d love to hear from you.
Confucius, a teacher, philosopher, reformer, and lasting symbol of East Asian tradition, has shaped societies and ethical frameworks for centuries. His teachings offer profound insights into human relationships, social harmony, and moral development—concepts that resonate deeply with those of us in the field of design.
In this exploration, we’ll dive into a key aspect of Confucius’s philosophy: achieving social harmony through self-development and personal growth. This harmony is guided by the way of the junzi—a term that translates to “gentleman” or “exemplary person.” While Confucius outlined numerous virtues, here we’ll focus on just four—rituals, benevolence, wisdom, and trustworthiness—to create a design framework.
That said, I encourage you to look into the other virtues Confucius taught and attempt to translate them into design values yourself. The act of interpretation can lead to new perspectives and insights for your work. For now, these four virtues will give us enough to start building our framework.
Before diving into the virtues and their translation into our design framework, let’s take a moment to break down what a strong framework looks like.
What makes a good design framework?
A well-constructed design framework should have clear definitions, guiding principles, and actionable outcomes. Think of it as a practical set of tools that not only shapes how you approach a problem but also defines the kind of impact your solutions aim to create.
At its core, this framework is guided by one overarching principle: to design for social harmony. Inspired by Confucian philosophy, this principle encourages us to consider the broader impact of our work—moving beyond individual interests to foster meaningful connections, mutual respect, and balance within communities and society.
In this framework, virtues are our values, and as designers, we act as role models, practicing the junzi way—a path of self-refinement and ethical decision-making. By following this approach, we not only empower ourselves but also enable users to practice self-development, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious society.
The framework in action
With these ingredients in mind, let’s explore how Confucius’s core virtues—rituals (li), benevolence (ren), wisdom (zhi), and trustworthiness (xin)—can serve as a foundation for a design framework. Each virtue is translated into a design value and paired with a corresponding design challenge to make it actionable. The ultimate goal is to create designs that foster harmony, not just for individuals but for communities at large.
1 – Rituals (Li)
For Confucius, Li—rituals—are far more than formal ceremonies or rigid customs. They represent the conscious, deliberate actions and behaviors that cultivate respect, harmony, and connection within a community. Li teaches us to understand our societal roles and act accordingly, guided by established practices that nurture virtues and maintain order.
The Modern Lens on Li: Peter Bolland’s Perspective
I’ll admit, that when I first encountered the concept of Li, I struggled to connect it to our modern world. It felt as antique as it is, a relic of a bygone era that couldn’t translate to today’s diverse, multicultural, and rapidly evolving society. But then I came across Peter Bolland, a professor of philosophy, whose explanation gave me a much-needed spark of clarity. (You can watch the video that inspired me here)
Bolland reframes Li in a way that resonates deeply: as the behaviors and actions that embody kindness (Ren) and reciprocity (Shu). While Li might appear outdated when we focus on its original, Confucian-era specifics, Bolland challenges us to reimagine it in a contemporary, multicultural context.
He raises a fascinating question: in a world where every culture has its own subset of Li—its own norms, rituals, and respectful behaviors—could we imagine a universal Li?
Bolland shares a touching story to illustrate Li’s enduring relevance. His parents emigrated from the Netherlands to the U.S. after World War II. Growing up, he barely knew his relatives overseas, yet his mother insisted that he write thank-you cards to his grandfather in Haarlem. As a child, this ritual seemed meaningless. However, years later, when his grandfather passed away, Peter learned that the man had kept every single card in a shoebox under his bed. At that moment, Bolland realised the profound power of Li: the ritual, the seemingly small act, was the channel that sustained their family connection across time and space.
Li, he says, is the vein through which Ren (kindness) and Shu (reciprocity) flow like blood.
Design Value: Create (Li) rituals that cultivate connection
Li emphasises the power of rituals in cultivating respect, connection, and harmony. Designers can create simple, impactful rituals that encourage positive interactions and relationships.
HMW (how might we) enable interactions that cultivate connection, respect, and harmony?
Inspired by Peter Bolland’s perspective, we should design rituals that include multicultural norms and values, fostering a universal sense of respect and kindness.
Examples of rituals of connection
- Gratitude features: help users express gratitude easily, like sending a thank-you note or meaningful recognition to others in their network.
- Reminders for rituals: encourage users to engage in small but powerful acts of kindness, such as remembering special occasions or offering words of encouragement during difficult times.
2 – Benevolence (Ren)
Ren, or “benevolence”, represents the essence of human goodness and selflessness in Confucian thought. When Confucius was asked, “What is Ren?” he answered, “Curb your ego and submit to Li (ritual)”. This illuminates the interplay between Ren and Li—Ren is the inner attitude that makes rituals sincere, ensuring they are not empty gestures but genuine acts of moral development and human connection.
As Peter K. Bol, Professor of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, explains, Ren is the attitude behind Li, the ability to “look at the other and see your own interest as well and want to advance their interest as you advance your own”. Without Ren, Li loses its authenticity and risks becoming manipulation. Ren also points toward the ultimate goal of Confucian self-cultivation: to reach a stage where one can “follow their heart without transgressing what is right”.
My perspective on Ren is benevolence rooted in self-control and a commitment to the greater good rather than driven by emotion. It requires us to understand others, act for their benefit, and uplift them regardless of personal feelings. Ren, therefore, is not indulgent; it can demand that we override personal biases or emotions to act virtuously. As Confucius stated, Ren requires curbing one’s ego and submitting to Li (ritual), aligning personal behavior with ethical standards.
To me, this makes Ren an essential virtue in environments where fairness and impartiality are crucial, such as the workplace. A leader, for example, embodies Ren when they prioritise their team’s growth and development, even if they don’t personally like every member. It’s about rising above personal emotions to act for the collective good.
Design Value: Cultivate (Ren) benevolence—selfless actions that benefit othersHMW encourage actions that prioritise collective well-being and uplift others?
Inspired by Peter K. Bol’s explanation, Ren encourages us to focus on advancing others’ interests as we do our own.
Examples of selfless actions
- Kindness nudges in social media
- Add prompts like “Pause and consider how this message might be received” before users post potentially emotional or reactive content.
- Include suggestions like “Show gratitude to someone today” as part of daily notifications.
- “Pay-It-Forward” features in food delivery apps
- Allow users to add a “pay-it-forward” meal donation option at checkout to buy food for someone in need.
3 – Wisdom (Zhi)
Wisdom is the ability to understand people and situations clearly, make informed decisions, and apply knowledge effectively. For Confucius, wisdom was about navigating life without confusion.
It is not just about acquiring knowledge but about integrating learning with critical thinking and reflection. Confucius emphasized that true wisdom comes from balancing Hsueh (learning) with Ssu (thinking), highlighting that learning without reflection is fruitless, and thinking without learning leads to confusion. Wisdom, for Confucius, is the ethical application of knowledge—knowing what is right and making decisions that contribute to the well-being of individuals and society. A wise person also recognises that there is always more to learn, embracing the continuous process of self-cultivation and self-awareness.
Design Value: Flourish (Zhi) wisdom by making information clear and encouraging reflection
HMW enable users to make informed decision, balancing knowledge with critical reflection?
Examples of clear information that encourages reflection
- Privacy by design: Embed privacy insights at every step—not just in fine print. Clearly show what data is collected, why, and who it’s shared with (aligned with GDPR).
Push further to encourage reflection.
🔹 “Sharing this data personalizes your experience but may be used for ads. Review your settings?”
🔹 “Opting in helps improve products. Prefer more privacy? Here’s how.”This balances clarity and autonomy, turning privacy into a conscious choice rather than an afterthought.
4 – Trustworthiness (Xin)
Trustworthiness is a cornerstone of Confucian thought—a virtue so fundamental that Confucius declared, “How can you be a person if your words are not to be trusted?” It signifies more than just meeting expectations; it’s about being genuinely worthy of trust through integrity, sincerity, and mutual respect.
For Confucius, trustworthiness is not one-sided. It involves both personal responsibility and self-reflection. When trust is broken, he teaches us to look inward first: Were our expectations fair? Were they clearly communicated? Blaming others without introspection leads to resentment, which disrupts harmony. As Confucius reminds us, “Be hard on yourself; go lightly when you blame others—that way you stay clear of resentment” (Analects 15:15).
In our designs, this value of trustworthiness encourages us to build experiences that promote transparent communication and mutual accountability. By doing so, we nurture trust in the relationship between the product we design and the user, ensuring that trust is both earned and sustained.
Design Value: Grow (Xin) trustworthiness—integrity and sincerity in relationships
HMW foster trust through transparent communication and mutual responsibility?
Examples of integrity and sincerity
- Transparent policies: display clear pricing and renewal terms, ensuring users know exactly what they are committing to—no hidden fees, no fine print.
- Empathetic error messaging: when something goes wrong, provide honest and actionable error messages rather than generic, frustrating responses, demonstrating respect for the user’s time and understanding.
Conclusion
Thanks for making it this far! This is a simplified take on Confucius’s philosophy, but I’ve been eager to explore how philosophers can shape modern design frameworks.
As someone with ADHD, setting a goal to dive into philosophy for my blog has been a great way to stay focused and learn. I’m also thinking of creating a card toolkit to help designers easily reference the key concepts from this article during their design process. It’s a playful way to keep these ideas at hand while building harmony in design. Would that interest you?
If you have any philosophers in mind whose ideas could inspire future explorations, let me know! I hope this sparks some creative thinking and helps you approach design with a focus on balance and connection.
Resources
Confucius – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
The Concept of Trustworthiness in the Confucian Ethic
CONFUCIUS ON THE FIVE CONSTANT VIRTUES, Robert Joseph C. Wahing Modern Asian Thoughts