SectionVI Traditional Chinese Worldviews and Values中国文化概论英文版本 教学课件.pptVIP

Traditional Chinese Worldviews and Values Confucianism Doctrines of Confucius Ren 仁 Benevolence, kindness, humanity, goodness, social virtue, etc. The direct interpretation of this character is that love and respect between people will make one virtuous man, a real man. Ren is considered the base of all other aspects of Confucian thought. Individually, 君子(men of noble character) Politically, paternalistic government Li 礼 It is often translated as propriety, rite, courtesy, and politeness. If Ren is the inner ideal of the sage, Li is the outward expression. Li for Confucius is the greatest principle of living. When people live by Li the society will attain order and harmony. Government by Virtue 仁政 Virtue is central to Confucius’ ideas. The whole of Confucius’ teachings can be said to be a system of virtue ethics. Virtue is the general principle while Ren is the guiding line of conduct. Confucius said that a ruler who governed his state by virtue was like the North Star, which remained in its place while all the other stars surrounded it. Zhongyong 中庸 Zhongyong is the doctrine of the mean advocated by Confucius which plays an important role in shaping the Chinese national character and approaches to their life problems. The term has been translated as the Middle Way, the Mean, and the Constant Mean. “The Mean” in the mind of Confucius implies moderation of one’s behaviour, and standing “central and balanced” in dealing with management of things or human beings. Taoism Philosophy of Laozi and Dao De Jing Taoism as philosophy of Laozi The concept of The Tao (often translated as “the Way”) is the central concept of Laozi’s philosophical system and the core of classical Chinese philosophy. Some Definitions The Tao: the way to be, a code of behaviour and doctrine. The philosophical notion of tao invovles the bringing together of nature and man. Tao is also the universal force of cosmos. wu-wei: The Taoist goal brings the world back to the way by means of quietism,