China News Service, Wuyishan, Fujian, March 26th: How does the ethics of Chinese culture go to the world?
——Exclusive interview with Chen Fubin, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan
China News Service reporter Yan Xu
Ethics are an important part of Chinese culture and play an important role in the history of China. Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trust are the core concepts of Chinese cultural ethics.
What are the similarities and differences between the ethics of Chinese culture and that of Western culture? What is its significance and value to China and the world today? During the first Wuyi Forum held recently, Chen Fubin, dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Service's "East-West Question" and shared his understanding and thinking on Chinese cultural ethics.
The interview transcript is summarized as follows:
China News Service reporter: How to understand the ethics of Chinese culture?
Chen Fujin:
The so-called ethics is from the perspective of moral philosophy, including the interactive relationship between oneself and oneself, oneself and others, and oneself and the entire universe and nature.
We Chinese have been influenced by Confucianism, from Confucius and Mencius in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, to Dong Zhongshu and Yang Xiong in the Han Dynasty, to Zhou Dunyi and Zhu Xi in the Song Dynasty, and Wang Yangming in the Ming Dynasty. The system of Confucianism formed the traditional Chinese Taoist thought , attaches great importance to ethics, which is reflected in "Five Ethics" in "Mencius", that is, father and son are related, husband and wife are distinguished, elders and young are orderly, monarch and ministers are righteous, and friends are trustworthy. From this perspective, it represents a kind of interpersonal relationship, which contains "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and sage", which are the "Five Elements" of Confucianism. In the Han Dynasty, Dong Zhongshu advocated the "Five Constant Virtues", which are "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness."
At the "Brush Opening Ceremony" in Jianshui County, Yunnan Province, children show off the character "人" written with a brush. Photo by Ren Dong
The word "benevolence" comes from "people". The literal explanation is the love between people, which is a kind of interpersonal care. "Book of Changes, Qian, Wenyan" says: "Yuan means the growth of goodness; prosperity means the harmony of justice. Benefit means the harmony of righteousness. Chastity means the ability to do things. A gentleman's benevolence is enough to grow others, and Jiahui It is enough to be in harmony with propriety, it is enough to keep things in harmony with justice, and it is chastity enough to do things. A gentleman who practices these four virtues is called Qianyuan Henry Zhen."
It can be seen that China has attached great importance to the concept of "benevolence" since ancient times. "Benevolence" means "benevolence of one body". You must have "benevolence of one body" not only towards yourself, but also to others such as family members, friends, teachers and students. Only then can you achieve what Mencius said: "Be kind to people and benevolent to the people." Be kind to the people and love things." This is very important ethics, caring for relationships.
"Righteousness" is a requirement for oneself. Confucius told us, "A gentleman is known as righteousness, and a villain is known as benefit." What should you do when facing others? Confucius said, "Eat food sparingly, drink water, bend your arms and rest your head on it, and you will enjoy it. Being rich and noble through unrighteousness is like floating clouds to me." Mencius said, "Sacrificing one's life for righteousness"; Dong Zhongshu combined these concepts and talked about "righteousness" "Benefit two nourish", emphasizing righteousness as well as profit; Neo-Confucianists of the Song Dynasty, including Zhu Xi, Lu Xiangshan, Wang Yangming, etc., also made many interpretations of this. When we face the country and society, of course we must sacrifice our lives for righteousness. This is an important ethical concept in Chinese culture.
"Li" represents a kind of self-expression from the external form to the inside. It is not just the external etiquette and rituals, but also comes from the inner essence. Chinese people often talk about "ritual" and "yue" together. "Le" represents a concept of "harmony", the harmony between oneself and the outside world. Chinese culture attaches great importance to the education of rituals and music.
The third opening ceremony of Taihu Tuying in Changxing County, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province was held at the Confucius Temple in the ancient town of Taihu. Preschoolers dressed in Hanfu saluted Confucius. Photo by Wu Zheng
"Wisdom" is the ability to distinguish moral right from wrong and make moral judgments, and refers to the appropriateness of knowledge and action. People's words and deeds conform to the requirements of ethics due to the function of "wisdom", which is the moral judgment ability of "wisdom" to distinguish right from wrong, good and evil.
"Xin" generally refers to faithfulness and involves the concept of "sincerity". Many hexagrams in the "Book of Changes" talk about "Youfu", which represents integrity and trustworthiness. Almost every chapter of "The Doctrine of the Mean" talks about "sincerity". A very important point of "honesty" is that in the process of practicing moral behavior, you have to do it yourself so that others can feel it. Therefore, only when people are "sincere" to each other can they have what Mencius calls "reflexive and sincere, and there is no greater joy."
For thousands of years, Chinese people have almost always used the words "benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness" to interpret traditional Chinese ethics. At the same time, it continues to extend, such as loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, love, trust, righteousness, harmony, equality, etc., which are actually very important aspects of ethics and morality in Chinese culture.
China News Service reporter: How did the ethics of Chinese culture form and develop?
Chen Fujin:
From the perspective of ancient books and classics, in the early days, it started from the Book of Songs, Shangshu, Book of Rites, and Zhouyi, to the Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, The Analects of Confucius, and Mencius. This series of core carriers of traditional Confucian thought constructed the An important ethical concept in China. Chinese culture has a long history and has evolved over a long period of time. Dong Zhongshu established a new Confucian system based on Confucianism and the theory of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, and constructed his ethical thoughts accordingly.
At the "Tao of Inheritance - Exhibition of Rare Ancient Books of Classics" exhibited at the Fujian Museum, visitors were attracted by the Confucian works on display. Photo by Li Nanxuan
Dong Zhongshu's ethical thoughts are based on his view of heaven and human nature. He believes that fulfilling social moral norms is a manifestation of human nature's compliance with God's will. Its ethical thoughts are based on heaven as the foundation of heaven, earth and all things. Therefore, the rationalization of ethical behavior must follow the laws of heaven, which means following the principles of yin and yang, the four seasons, and the five elements. The ethical thought developed by Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming Dynasties had a long-lasting influence.
China News Service reporter: From the perspective of cultural differences, what are the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western ethics?
Chen Fubin:
Western ethical thought attaches great importance to religious ethics, from the School of Athens to Neoplatonism based on Plotinus, to Augustine, to Thomas Aquinas in the Middle Ages, and even before the Renaissance, all people were based on God. The central idea is “theocentrism”. Later, people began to reflect, do people only serve God instead of serving people? As a result, the humanistic spirit and humanistic ideas were put forward, which led to religious reform, national rejuvenation, the rise of the middle class, etc. throughout the West.
At the special exhibition "World Masters - Three Masters of the Italian Renaissance" on display in Nanjing, the audience was attracted by Michelangelo's work "Lamentation of the Christ" (replica). Photo by Yang Bo
The ethics of Chinese culture have different trends. The beliefs that Chinese people focus on, in terms of the beliefs of primitive peoples, such as the worship of ancestors, ghosts and gods, nature, objects, totems, etc., are not like Western religions. Faith is like a "golden hoop". Chinese culture constructs the ethical concept of filial piety culture through the ethical relationship of blood and family ties in the "family" culture. Therefore, I think the degree of freedom of Chinese cultural ethics is relatively more solid than that of the West.
China News Service reporter: What do you think is the significance and value of the ethics of Chinese culture to China and the world today?
Chen Fubin:
I think the best thing about Chinese culture is what Mencius said: "The benevolent are invincible." China's development will not pose a threat to other countries; the proposed "One Belt, One Road" initiative is to promote local prosperity and promote mutual coordination and mutual assistance between countries. This is not necessarily the case in some Western countries. Historically, imperialism invaded other countries in the economic, political and other fields, and even claimed to be helping weak areas. In fact, it was creating wars and did not make any real contribution to world peace. After the 16th century, the West plundered the property and resources of other countries in order to expand its territory and make itself stronger. However, China has never done this kind of behavior.
"Building the 'One Belt and One Road' Together to Create a Better Future - Exhibition of Collected Works from the 7th China Photo Competition" was exhibited at the National Museum, attracting visitors. Photo by Pan Xulin
Therefore, I believe that the ideals of peace and world unity in Chinese culture are absolutely superior to Western culture. Western culture is more confrontational and sharp, while Chinese culture is harmonious and equal. The most lacking quality in the entire Western culture is this kind of peace and kindness that "the benevolent are invincible".
China News Service reporter: In March 2023, China launched the Global Civilization Initiative to the world. How should we draw nourishment from the ethics of Chinese culture, achieve harmony and symbiosis, and share beauty and beauty?
Chen Fujin:
Chinese culture has a certain influence on the Western world, but according to my observation, these influences are currently concentrated among scholars, and may have a subtle impact on them, thus affecting the overall cultural development of the region. Likewise, Chinese culture is also influenced by Western culture.
How to carry forward Chinese culture, I think a very important point lies in the use of Chinese, otherwise the promotion of Chinese culture will only exist in the Chinese world. Language can communicate and transform experience. If we expand the influence of Chinese through diplomatic, academic and other exchanges, the influence of Chinese culture will naturally be expanded.
We should also start with translation. Among China's ancient and modern classics, Laozi is the most read in the Western world, and the "Four Books" are not as popular abroad as Laozi. I feel that only by translating important Chinese classics into texts that are more understandable to Westerners can the ethics of Chinese culture enter the entire world.
The dough sculpture work "Confucius Meets Laozi". Photo by Zhou Qingxian
The joint construction of the "One Belt and One Road" is a good way. On the one hand, it promotes economic cooperation between the jointly built countries, on the other hand, it also promotes mutual learning and development of different civilizations in the world, and promotes Chinese culture to the world. (over)
Interviewee profile:
Chen Fubin. Photo by Zhang Bin
Chen Fubin, dean of the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, is committed to the study of the Yijing, the philosophy of the Han Dynasty, Neo-Confucianism of the Song and Ming Dynasties, and Chinese philosophical issues. courses, and guided nearly 100 doctoral and master's theses. His major works include "Ethics and Chinese Culture", "Confucianism in the Two Han Dynasties and Its Inner Transformation", "Philosophy of Modern Life", "World Philosophers Series: Yang Xiong", "Wisdom and Thought", "General Theory of Late Ming Thought", and "Introduction to Chinese Culture" wait.