Human ethics origin

Author: Zhi Fei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: The dialectics of history repeatedly reveal that development is not merely simple growth and increase; it often does not follow a straight-line progression but rather achieves its realization through a series of spiral layers. Thus, "return" does not always mean repeating the past but can be an upward form, a way of "awakening" the potential that has long been latent in things from their very beginning. As culture, created by conscious human beings, it vividly demonstrates a spiral developmental trajectory. For example, Europe's "Renaissance," which revered ancient Greek culture, and the "Protestant Reformation," which adhered to the Bible, were both developments and recreations of the "spirit of the canonical texts." It was through such "returns" that European culture achieved historical progress. This phenomenon of drawing inspiration from "cultural canonical texts" to gain a foundation for advancement has also appeared multiple times in China. The famous "Classical Chinese Movement" is a typical example. Examining the history of modern Chinese thought and culture, one finds countless instances of "returning to the roots while forging the new" or "emancipating through revival," where returning to the spirit of the canonical texts was sought to bring about renewal. Of course, modernization is a cultural transition process full of changes and new beginnings. Modern life is like a massive filter, allowing or blocking elements of past cultural traditions. In this process of selection and rejection, the path of advancement and decline is shaped. Modern Chinese people, standing at the crossroads of civilization transformation and the salvation of national crisis, chose the adaptable philosophy, sense of urgency, distinction between Chinese and foreign, concept of revolution, and people-centered thought from the spirit of Chinese canonical texts. They then engaged in dynamic interaction and integration with relevant aspects of Western learning, thereby forging theories that played a significant role in modern China—such as social transformation theory, theory of national salvation, theory of the nation-state, theory of social revolution, and democracy. It is evident that the selective promotion and creative transformation of the spirit of canonical texts are an inherent part of modern and contemporary culture. This theme is one that the present and future generations must repeatedly explore and strive to practice. The Classic of Filial Piety is one of the Thirteen Classics of Confucianism and has had a profound and widespread influence on the development of Chinese historical culture. It has long been well-known in China's history, with many readers in ancient times. However, due to its great distance from our time, its language is relatively difficult, and its content is profound, making it little understood by modern readers. For this reason, this book introduces and explains it to readers in an accessible language. The book begins with the life story of its author.