AS THE SPRING FESTIVAL
takes over the spirit of the month, ushering in the Year of the Pig, we couldn’t help but wonder what constitute the Chinese culture and their values after all, the Chinese civilisation is regarded as one of the cradles of civilisation, with a history dating all the way back to approximately 7000 BC.
While many of us today can only associate Chinese culture with folklore and mythology, ancestor and deity worship, martial arts, zodiac animals, elaborate customs, superstitions, red packets and an obsession about wealth, there is, in fact, a more intellectual side to early Chinese thought than meets the eye.
History reveals that between the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period (600 - 221 BC), while troubled by chaos and bloodshed, the Chinese civilisation experienced an era of prolific cultural and intellectual developments, where a wide range of schools and thoughts flourished, leading to the phenomenon known as the Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought, and the rise of the Chinese philosophy.
Among the most prominent schools of thought founded during this time were Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism, largely centred around ontology, humanism, moral principles, civic duty, politics, social harmony and critical thinking. Together, they allowed Ancient China to make great advances as a civil society and an imperial nation. Confucianism, which emphasises individual and governmental morality, patriotism and filial piety, along with Legalism, for example, is responsible for creating the world’s first meritocracy, which holds that one’s status should be determined by education and character rather than ancestry, wealth or friendship, as explained in The Analects by Confucius (DC Lau, 1979).
Beyond the schools, the rulers of Zhou (1046 771 BC) introduced the political doctrine of royal legitimacy that would be in use throughout China’s dynastic history, and adopted by its neighboring countries̶the Mandate of Heaven. While the phrase denotes a mystical higher power at work, the doctrine was conceived based on a much more practical and timeless policy adoptable by most governments today, emphasising the people’s welfare as well as to curtail the abuse of power.
It dictates that the foothold of a sovereign corresponds to the welfare of his subjects. Negligence, corruption and unjust rule will naturally lead to moral decay, poverty, public unrest, revolts and weak defense against invaders, plagues and the forces of nature. A successful rebellion hence indicates that Heaven has withdrawn its mandate. This became a constant reminder to the rulers of China of the need to always be vigilant and just in every aspect of their governance.
Moving on, let us take you through some of the prominent schools of classical Chinese philosophy.