The Modern Significance of Chinese Traditional Culture from the Perspective of Values

The conflict between traditional Chinese culture and modern life is also understood in essence as the impact and challenge of modern Western culture on traditional Chinese culture. The modern transformation of traditional Chinese culture has taken it off the old track and has undeniably been significantly influenced by Western culture. However, this paper argues that modern culture is not equivalent to Western culture, and the Western culture we embrace does not touch the core parts of the value system of traditional Chinese culture. First, the relationship between man and heaven and earth. We can roughly summarize the basic attitude of the Chinese towards nature by saying that "man is one with all things in heaven and earth". This attitude can be said to be the ****same conception of all schools of traditional Chinese thought. From this point of view, the Chinese have always existed in harmony with all things in heaven and earth, unlike the modern Western attitude toward the conquest of nature. Today, however, Westerners are increasingly seeing the negative effects of "technology". The attitude of "man's oneness with all things in heaven and earth" is certainly not modern, but it may be a new revelation of ultra-modern significance. The relationship between man and man. The relationship between human beings has long been known in China as "Renlun," which was developed with the individual in mind and emphasizes the natural relationship between human beings. Modern sociologists tend to judge Chinese social relations as devoid of universal principles because of this. In fact, universal principles are represented in the West by "fairness" and in China by the concept of "benevolence". What the Chinese seek is a higher "fairness" and a more reasonable "order" that the law cannot achieve. Law can only "prohibit what has already been done", while "benevolence" can "prohibit what will be done". The modern significance of Chinese human order lies in the fact that ethics and moral self-discipline play an important role in China's legal system. Third, the human attitude toward the self. The Chinese believe that the source of value lies in one's own heart and is open to others as well as to all things in heaven and earth, and emphasize the cultivation of one's body and character. This is one of the major features of Chinese thought. The spiritual salvation of Westerners is mainly through external forces. Since the nineteenth century, Nietzsche has declared that "God is dead". After the death of God, Westerners felt a sense of loss, panic and emptiness. The Chinese believe that the source of value lies in the human heart, and emphasize self-cultivation, which makes individuals more psychologically stable and balanced. From this point of view, the Chinese tradition of cultivation is precisely a kind of precious spiritual resources that must be re-explored. Fourth, the view of life and death. Generally speaking, the Chinese view of life and death is still an extension of the idea that "man is one with all things in heaven and earth". The most valuable aspect of Chinese thought is its ability to affirm life positively without relying on the immortality of the soul. The three immortal beliefs of merit, virtue, and speech have been passed down from ancient times and are the guarantee of "eternal life" for the Chinese. According to the Chinese concept of life and death, everyone can bravely face his or her own death and be active and diligent. This is what is meant by the saying, "To be good at my life is to be good at my death". Chinese culture has undergone drastic changes in modern times, and the impact of Western culture is one of the important factors. But this radical change has not completely destroyed the basic values and spirit of Chinese culture. The basic values of Chinese culture are not completely divorced from modern life, but exist in a state of ambiguity. However, the value system can only keep pace with the times through conscious introspection and review. The Chinese people must continue to explore their existing spiritual resources and update their existing value system, so that they can expect to make their own unique contribution to the creation of the world culture in the future.