Distinguishing names: benmei as confucian terminology reconstruction in ogyu sorai’s thought

The article offers an overview of the main ideas of Ogyu Sorai’s Benmei, a philosophical dictionary of Tokugawa Confucian thought. Ogyu Sorai believed that philosophical terminology is not so much the basis for solving philosophical problems, but rather the foundation on which governing and harmonization of society rests. Thus, Benmei can literally be considered as a tool to legitimize and strengthen the political authority of the Tokugawa ruling elite. As an example of Ogyu Sorai’s reconceptualization of Confucian terminology the author analyzes his vision of such categories as «way», «humaneness», «rites», «ritual principles», «loyalty» and «trustworthiness».