Confucian Cultures of AuthorityPeter D. Hershock, Roger T. Ames This volume examines the values that have historically guided the negotiation of identity, both practical and ideal, in Chinese Confucian culture, considers how these values play into the conception and exercise of authority, and assesses their contemporary relevance in a rapidly globalizing world. Included are essays that explore the rule of ritual in classical Confucian political discourse; parental authority in early medieval tales; authority in writings on women; authority in the great and long-beloved folk novel of China Journey to the West; and the anti-Confucianism of Lu Xun, the twentieth-century writer and reformer. By examining authority in cultural context, these essays shed considerable light on the continuities and contentions underlying the vibrancy of Chinese culture. While of interest to individual scholars and students, the book also exemplifies the merits of a thematic (rather than geographic or area studies) approach to incorporating Asian content throughout the curriculum. This approach provides increased opportunities for cross-cultural comparison and a forum for encouraging values-centered conversation in the classroom. |
Contents
Autonomous Individuals and Related Persons1 | 1 |
The Rule of Ritualin Classical Confucian Political Discourse | 21 |
The Wei PositioningMingNamingLianmian FaceGuanxiRelationshipRenqingHumanized Feelings Complex in Contemporary Chinese Culture | 49 |
Parental Authority as Seen in Early MedievalTales of Filial Offspring | 65 |
Authoring a Fullfledged Womanhood inLienüzhuan Biographies of Women | 93 |
Aspects of Authority in Wu Chengens Journey to the West | 117 |
Common terms and phrases
able academy according achieve actions argued authority basic become beginning believed central century challenge character Chen China Chinese classical concept Confucian Confucius constitutional created critical cultivation cultural democracy democratic despotism Dynasty early effect emperor Enlightenment equally established examinations example fact father filial Fourth freedom gives Heaven human ideal imperial important individual institutions Intellectuals journey King Learning lives Lu Xun Master means mind monarchical Monkey moral mother nature notes novel observing officials one’s parents Party Philosophy political position practice reason reflected relational relationship respect ritual role Ruan Yuan rule ruler Sanzang scholars sense social society spirit stories structure Studies theory things thought tion tradition understanding University Press values virtue West Western women Xuehaitang York