In ancient Chinese society, there was a deep-rooted and far-reaching family inheritance system - the primogeniture inheritance system. This system stipulates that the inheritance of family property, titles, and even the throne must be inherited by the eldest son born to the wife (mother-in-law) in priority, rather than other sons or daughters. So, why did ancient times have to emphasize primogeniture?
First of all, the formation of the primogeniture system originated from the core concept of the ancient Chinese patriarchal system. The patriarchal system is the basis for the construction of family-state isomorphism in ancient Chinese society, and ensures the continuity of family lineage and power by maintaining the orderly transmission of patriarchal and clan rights. The eldest son born to the wife is regarded as having pure blood and respectful status, so he has the right of priority inheritance, which is the embodiment of the principle of "kinship", that is, the distance of kinship determines the distribution of rights and obligations.
Second, the primogeniture system helps to stabilize the social order and political landscape. In feudal society, the family is a microcosm of the state, and the order within the family directly affects the stability of the state. The inheritance of the eldest son avoids family disputes and social turmoil caused by the struggle for inheritance rights, which is conducive to strengthening family cohesion and maintaining the stability of the social structure. At the same time, in terms of imperial succession, the primogeniture system provides a clear and standardized way for the peaceful transition of royal power, reduces palace struggles, and is conducive to the smooth operation of the country's political situation.
Furthermore, from an ethical and moral point of view, the primogeniture system embodies the ethical norms advocated by Confucianism. Proposed by Confucius"Filial piety and faithfulness"and other moral principles, emphasizing the orderliness of the young and the old, and respect for authority. As the eldest brother in the family, the eldest son not only has an advantage in age, but also because of his special birth status, he is naturally given the responsibility of leading and taking care of his younger brother. This sense of responsibility and leadership skills are considered to be important qualities for him to be able to take on the important responsibilities of his family and the country.
However, primogeniture is not without controversy. With the development of the times, some talented but not the eldest son of the eldest son cannot get the development opportunities they deserve, which inhibits the vitality of social innovation to a certain extent. In addition, over-reliance on the distinction between descendants and concubines may also lead to indifference to family affection and even lead to conflicts within the family.
In general, as an important social system, the existence and development of primogeniture in ancient China reflected the social concepts, ethics and political needs of the time. Although this system has been abolished in modern society, it is still of great significance for us to understand the ancient social structure and family ethics, and it also provides a historical reference for us to think about the fairness and fairness of modern inheritance law. List of high-quality authors