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

Traditional Chinese Worldviews and Values * The Fundamental Traits of the Chinese Nation Vitality, continuity and inclusiveness The conception of great national unity and values of collectivism Seeking for harmony and maintaining equilibrium, peace and content The culture of human relations and the rational attitude to reality The dialectical pattern of thought and the way of thinking in mode of the confucian classics * Confucianism Confucius (551 B.C.–479B.C.),usually called Kong Zi in modern Chinese, founder of Confucianism, is regarded as a great philosopher, thinker and educator of ancient China. He is recognized as one of the most influential figures in Chinese history. Confucius was born in Zouyi County, the State of Lu (today, Qufu City in Shandong Province) and lived during the later part of the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C.–476 B.C.)when the princes and dukes contended for power and the country was in chaos caused by war. * 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 Doctrines of Confucius * 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