The Historical and Cultural Function of Confucianism: A Case Study of the Medieval Scholar-Gentry Phenomenon

Author: Chen Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This book argues that the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties belonged to a dualistic structure where the social organization system and the state organization system were combined. Based on this structure, Confucianism formed, with its fundamental spirit lying in regulating everything through the naturally formed cultural order and placing political operations and processes under the guidance of cultural value ideals. After the transition from the Zhou to the Qin dynasties, this structure split into a dualistic and antagonistic structure of state and society. Confucian scholars remained committed to the ideal of the "Kingly Way" and the nostalgia for the Three Dynasties, striving for social integration, while playing a critical and adjusting role in politics. The book particularly applies this theoretical analytical framework to case studies of medieval scholar families, describing and analyzing the specific activities and profound significance of the Southern Dynasties' Xuanxue scholar families in "preserving the unity of China by safeguarding Jiangdong," as well as the Northern Dynasties' Jingxue scholar families who, relying on the value principles of Confucian culture, constrained and governed the political activities of the nomadic ruling class through family ethics and institutional systems, achieving the transformation of "civilizing the barbarians with the rites of Xia." Today, almost everyone has their own impressions and views on Confucianism. Are these impressions and views right or wrong? The Historical and Cultural Functions of Confucianism might serve as a good reference.