The first aim of this paper is to give a concluding remark on metaphysical essentialism and cultural essentialism based on H. Putnam's and H Rorty's criticism. The second aim of the paper is to analyse and criticize the essentialist view on confucian tradition offered by some contemporary scholars.If essentialism were not false, it would be unintelligible. I argue that there is no changeless essence but family resemblance in the long tradition of confucianism.