Qing Dynasty scholars The subtle interweaving of social roles and ethical order

Mondo Social Updated on 2024-01-19

While there are many criticisms of the social class system of the Qing Dynasty by scholars today, it is impossible to put all Qing scholars into the same social view. For example, Chen Hongmou, a Qing provincial minister, was not representative of the Qing Dynasty's social outlook for his contempt for scholars and scholars as a person from a remote area. Chen Hongmou was deeply influenced by Mencius's ideas, firmly believed in the moral and rational equality of human beings, and was full of confidence in personal struggle and social benefits, forming a unique social outlook.

Advocating "obedience" and attaching importance to the social structure of "division".

However, the frequent occurrence of words such as "obedience" and "don't go up and down" in Chen Hongmou's articles reveals his identification with social order. In addition to his view of the individual, he portrays society as a network of individuals operating with each other, rather than a simple hierarchy. In Chen Hongmou's eyes, society is not a strictly hierarchical organization, but a carefully constructed network between individuals.

Family relationship patterns and social role structures.

In Chen Hongmou's social view, the family relationship model is the basis for constructing social roles ("points"). This structure originated in the Book of Changes and was widely accepted in the Han Dynasty classics The Book of Rites and the Book of Filial Piety. During the Song dynasty, Neo-Confucianism not only fully embraced this model, but also defended it metaphysically, redefining it as a divine arrangement ("heavenly principle") as an ethical order to which various social actors must obey.

Advocacy and criticism of social roles.

Despite the many important changes that have taken place in modern society, Chen Hongmou's time was still cautious about this coercive structure of social roles. Chen Hongmou emphasized the necessity of "respecting the elderly" and believed that "respecting the heart of the monarch and being close to the king" is the basic moral concept of human beings. He celebrates not hierarchies of class or status, but networks of individuals with a high sense of social responsibility.

The core position of Wulun.

Wu Lun occupies a central position in Chen Hongmou's social views. He believes that "ethics is always valued by humanity" and "people are different from things, but this is the ethical ear". Chen Hongmou advocated that people should act correctly according to their roles in the relationship, emphasizing the importance of ethics. In his "Rules of Discipline and Customs", he quoted Wang Shijin's family rules, skillfully combining family relations and social roles, and emphasizing that the priority of "status" should not be confused.

Confucian cosmological mythology and socio-political implications.

Chen Hongmou connects social roles with the organic organization model of the universe, and believes that human society reflects a model of organic organization of the universe. He believed in the "Confucian cosmological myth" and closely linked the concept of the Five Constants to the system of relationships between human beings, the family, society, the political order, and the natural universe. This mode of thought was further developed during the Han and Song dynasties, and was closely linked to the complex system corresponding to natural phenomena.

Etiquette and social roles interact.

In Chen Hongmou's belief system, etiquette is the basic requirement for social actors to interact with each other. He emphasized that both "indecency" and "indecency" are immoral acts, and especially emphasized important etiquette such as adoption ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. Etiquette combines the act of giving with personal grooming, manners, mystifying it as an arrangement originating from the Divine and the Universe, effectively emphasizing the order of the roles in society.

The way to please the Divine: social roles and personal destiny.

In Chen Hongmou's view, adhering to the order of social roles is the surest way to "please the heavens". He stressed that the individual cannot be separated from the destiny of humanity as a whole and must be held accountable for all. The concentrated expression of social roles is reflected in all others in the form of an individual's inner order. Chen Hongmou firmly believes that by fulfilling the duties of social roles in accordance with the requirements of propriety, members of each belief system are constantly reaffirming and recreating order in the universe, politics, and civilized society.

The social concepts and ethical order of the scholars of the Qing Dynasty show the deep roots of Chinese culture and their unique understanding of the universe and society. As a Qing Dynasty leader, Chen Hongmou's social views were not only influenced by Confucianism, but also influenced by his origins in distant regions, forming unique views.

First of all, Chen Hongmou emphasized the importance of the family relationship model in the structure of social roles. This structure is rooted in the long history of Chinese culture, originating in the Book of Changes, and is widely accepted in the Han Dynasty classics, the Book of Rites and the Book of Filial Piety. This construction of social roles is not only reflected within the family, but also becomes the cornerstone of the entire social order. This view reflects Confucianism's emphasis on the importance of family ethics and social order.

Second, Chen's view of social roles is not a hierarchy, but an emphasis on carefully managed networks between individuals. This network-building is not only about obedience and respect for elders, but also about interaction and cooperation between individuals. Chen Hongmou is not only concerned with the hierarchical relationship of society, but also with the mutual understanding and support between individuals, so as to form a more harmonious society.

At the same time, Chen Hongmou's emphasis on Wulun shows that he pays attention to the ethical relationship between people. Wulun's central position reflects his belief in the moral and rational equality of human beings, emphasizing that each person has his or her own role and responsibility in society. This view not only reflects the individual's position in the family and society, but also reflects his reflection on the fate of humanity as a whole.

It is worth noting that Chen Hongmou's emphasis on etiquette is manifested in the interaction of social roles. He regarded etiquette as a basic requirement for social actors to interact with each other, emphasizing that indecency and non-distinction are immoral behaviors. Etiquette is not only reflected in formal occasions, but also in every aspect of daily life. This emphasis on etiquette reflects his focus on society and human relationships, while also providing an effective means of maintaining social order.

Finally, Chen Hongmou emphasized that the way to "please the heavens" lies in abiding by the order of social roles. He believed that the fate of the individual was closely linked to the fate of humanity as a whole, and that the individual should be responsible for all people. This view, which emphasizes the relationship between the individual and humanity as a whole, reveals his identification with social roles and ethical order, arguing that by actively fulfilling the duties of social roles, the individual can achieve "please" to the universe and society.

Overall, Chen Hongmou's social views and ethical concepts embody the core values of Confucianism, while also expressing his deep understanding of society and human relationships. He emphasized the importance of family relationships, social networks, ethical relationships, and etiquette, resulting in a rich and organic view of society. This view has its unique rationality in the social background of the time, and at the same time, it also provides useful enlightenment for later social thought.

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