Neville, Robert C.  “Conscious and Unconscious Placing of Ritual (Li) and Humanity (Ren).  Journal of Ecumenical Studies 40, nos. 1-2 (Winter-Spring 2003): 48-58.

Abstract

This essay presents an interpretation of the Confucian notions of ritual (Li) and humanity (Ren) that incorporate lines of questioning that come from the Freudian and Marxist notions of the unconscious.  Specifically, the acquisition of ritual mastery and humane depth involves imbedding them in unconscious behavior.  Freud argued that the structure of the unconscious is often at odds with the conscious structure of the self; ritual practice and humaneness are shown to help resolve such tensions.  Marx argued that the conscious justifications we give ourselves for social policies are not those that are more effectively operative at the unconscious level and that we are self-deceived by ideology.  The truth in the Marxian tradition is read into the interpretation of Confucian ritual and humanity.