"WHEN A CORNERED VESSEL NO LONGER HAS ANY CORNER, SHOULD IT BE CALLED A CORNERED VESSEL? SHOULD IT?"
[CONFUCIUS, ANALECTS 6:23]
When a round table ceases to be round, could it still be called a round table? When a wheelchair stops having its wheels, will it still be called the same? When something ceases to serve it's purpose, will it still be called by its name? Or, is it the name that gives its purpose or the purpose that gives its name?
Rectification of names according to the purpose it serve is essential in determining the things it specifically aims to do. Things should be in coherence with language so it could actualize its truest purpose. Yes, something could be everything at the same time but in that case, it could serve as something different than you intend it to.
Duke Ching of Ch’i asked Confucius about government. Confucius replied, “Let the ruler be a ruler, the minister be a minister, the father be a father, and the son be a son.” The duke said, “Excellent! Indeed when the ruler is not a ruler, the minister not a minister, the father not a father, and the son not a son, although I may have all the grain, shall I ever get to eat it?” [Analects 12:11]
A man could be a father, son, friend, and a public servant at the same time. If you call that man, a father, he should live according to what a father is-- lets say, someone who is a good provider and protector of the family. If you call him a son, he should be a son--someone who gives what is due to his parents such as respect, love. and care. If you say he is a friend-- he should be someone you could rely on at times of distress, someone you could ask favor from. A public servant, when you call him that, should be someone whom the public's trust could be placed upon, someone who sees upon the greater good of the people and not merely "some" people. If you put all that into one man at the same time, same moment, he may forget the main purpose it aims to serve or he may confuse one from the other. If a public servant forgets that his main purpose in that moment is to serve the public and merge it with being a friend to some, he'll destroy the very essence of being a public servant, that he is for the public, and shower favors for his friend rather than for the public it should serve. At that, one should distinguish one from the other through rectification of his name.
Tzu-lu said, “The ruler of Wei is waiting for you to serve in his administration. What will be your first measure?” Confucius said, “It will certainly concern the rectification of names.” Tzu-lu said, “Is that so? You are wide off the mark. Why should there be such a rectification?” Confucius said, “Yu! How uncultivated you are! With regard to what he does not know, the superior man should maintain an attitude of reserve. If names are not rectified, then language will not be in accord with truth. If language is not in accord with truth, then things cannot be accomplished. If things cannot be accomplished, then ceremonies and music will not flourish. If ceremonies and music will not flourish, then punishment will not be just. If punishments are not just, then the people will not know how to move hand and foot. Therefore the superior man will give only names that can be described in speech and say only what can be carried out in practice. With regard to his speech, the superior man does not take it lightly. That is all.” [Analects 13:3]
Confucius desired to address this first in order to set things upon its aim. It will help distinguish which are the duties, responsibilities, and boundaries of each from the other. It will make pinpointing of the crooks from the righteous, easier. It will mark those that have met its real purpose from those who have not.
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