Roland's Little Talks (Volume 5) - From Small Bridges and Flowing Water to Economic Takeoff

Author: Luo Lan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-05-01
Features: I still remember before the tourist passport system was introduced, only merchants could smoothly obtain exit permits. Many people therefore went to great lengths to obtain a letter of appointment from their business friends, changing their ID's occupation field to "businessman" to travel abroad. At that time, this sudden shift from a traditional disdain for commerce to granting special privileges to the business community shocked the cultural elite, even making them feel ashamed. But the situation had already developed in this way; you couldn’t deny that the business community took the lead, laying the foundation for a modest prosperity and gradually accumulating wealth. Now, everyone can afford to travel abroad. Moreover, the generosity of Chinese tourists in shopping has made foreigners take us "with new eyes," none denying that "yellow-faced tourists are willing to spend big." No one can deny that under the guidance of merchants, everyone has benefited from this undeniable fact. It’s no surprise that cultural figures have turned to business in various ways. This is a major breakthrough in the concept of "disdain for profit." "Disdain for profit" is a moral defense mechanism painstakingly built over thousands of years by Confucianism and Taoism. The question is, will this defense mechanism be in danger of collapsing due to this conceptual breakthrough? If it collapses, will there be harm? I’m not a moralist, nor do I advocate clinging to outdated ways and resisting change. I just feel that in this world, if everyone pursues profit, but you alone don’t; if all countries pursue profit, but you alone don’t, you will undoubtedly become a deprived entity unable to stand firm. But if everyone pursues profit, and society is filled with "selfish individuals" dedicated to "pursuing profit," where everyone "prioritizes profit over righteousness and does not take what is not theirs," it may not be a blessing for society. Look at the current trend of theft among the youth, the various tangible and intangible crimes committed for profit, and the rampant spread of pornography. It seems like a surging tide of filth pouring in from the breach in the dam, causing great anxiety. Is there an appropriate method to plug this gap or divert this turbid flow early on? There are many smart people in the West, but unfortunately, I haven’t read all the major works of Western philosophers. I can only think from the perspective of a Chinese person, and yet I still end up returning to "Confucius Goes to Wei." In the Analects, in the Zilu Chapter, Confucius travels to Wei, with Ran You driving the carriage. Seeing that Wei had a large population, Ran You asked Confucius, "With a large population, what should be done?" Confucius replied, "Make the people prosperous." Ran You then asked, "Having made them prosperous, what else should be done?" When the people are prosperous, what else should be done? Confucius’s answer was, "Educate them." Originally, the Confucian teaching of "disdaining profit" was not about not wanting to be prosperous, but rather that the primary duty of governance was to first ensure the people’s prosperity. However, immediately after "having made them prosperous," it is necessary to "educate them." "Educate them"—educate them about the "distinction between righteousness and profit." Use "righteousness" to balance the side effects brought by "profit," so that people know under what circumstances to "consider profit with righteousness," and thus avoid incidents like the American air traffic controller striking down without regard for national interests or public safety. Then, when should this education begin?