Evaluation of Confucianism

Confucianism basically adheres to the legislative principles of "kinship" and "respect", upholds the "rule of etiquette", advocates the "rule of virtue", and emphasizes the "rule of man". It upholds the "rule of propriety", advocates the "rule of virtue", and emphasizes the "rule of man". Confucianism had a great influence on feudal society and was long regarded as orthodox by feudal rulers.

The fundamental meaning of Confucianism's "rule of etiquette" is "difference", which means that the nobility, inferiority, superiority, superiority and inferiority of people, as well as children and elders, each have their own special behavioral norms. The rule of the state depends on the stability of the hierarchical order. Confucian "ritual" is also a form of law. It is centered on the maintenance of the patriarchal hierarchy, and if the norms of the "rites" are violated, they will be punished by the "punishment".

Confucianism's doctrine of "moral governance" advocates the use of morality as a means of educating people. According to Confucianism, no matter whether human nature is good or evil, it is possible to use morality to educate people. This kind of indoctrination is a kind of psychological transformation, so that the human heart is good, and knows shame but not treachery. This is the most thorough, fundamental and positive approach, and it is not something that can be achieved by legal sanctions.

Confucianism's "rule of man" is the idea that people are special, that they can develop morally, that they are compassionate, and that they are to be governed as "human beings" who are capable of change and who can make complex choices of their own initiative and ethical nature. The idea of "human being". From this point of view, there is a strong connection between "rule by virtue" and "rule by man". While "rule by virtue" emphasized the process of indoctrination, "rule by man" was a kind of politics of the virtuous, which emphasized the person who indoctrinated himself. Since Confucianism believes that "personality" has an overwhelming power of inspiration, it has developed on this basis into such extremes as "government by men" and "rule by men, not by law". The "rule of man" doctrine.

The Modern Significance of Confucianism

Rodopil, Professor of Chinese Language at Stockholm University, Sweden

Since the Chinese people began to pursue modernization, the status of Confucianism in Chinese culture has changed very much. The position of Confucianism on Chinese culture has changed very much since the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Everyone should have the opportunity to refer to the resources provided by the Confucian tradition. Chinese and East Asians in particular should have this opportunity. But just like any other cultural tradition, the Confucian tradition belongs to all of humanity, so the Confucian intellectual literature should be translated into as many languages as possible and made available to everyone.

As a Swede, I must admit that among the Confucian classics, only the Analects has been translated into Swedish so far. This is a gap that Swedish sinologists of my generation should fill. From the very beginning Confucianism has embodied a universal worldview and outlook on life. In today's terms, in ancient China Confucianism was understood to be at the heart of human civilization. As a result, at least in China, Confucianism was seen as an integral part of civilization or culture.

Confucianism has provided modern man with very rich resources. In the face of these resources, modern man has a freedom of choice, and can either absorb some of the components of the resources or discard some of them.

But no matter what choice you make, Confucianism belongs to the treasury of cultural heritage of all mankind. Preserving and interpreting the literature of Confucianism and enhancing people's understanding of it is an important task for us as scholars interested in Confucianism. Regardless of your opinion of Confucianism, understanding this extremely colorful tradition will certainly make your life richer.

Confucianism is the kernel of traditional Chinese culture and the theoretical basis for the maintenance of feudal monarchical rule. Confucianism and the monarchical dictatorship constitute the two main elements of ancient Chinese political history.