In most conversations about Chinese behaviour and the Chinese psyche, the discussion inevitably turns to Confucius. The wisdom of the ancient scholar is credited with (and blamed for) many of the characteristics that foreigners observe within current social situations in China. But how much of modern Chinese behaviour can be explained by Confucianism? Do Kongzi’s values live on in China today?

The man himself was born into a high-ranking family in the Lu state (modern Shandong) in 551 BC during the Spring and Autumn period. His teachings were taken as the state philosophy of the Han Dynasty in 100 BC, and he was raised to a god-like status. His analects preaching social harmony, respect and diligence flourished alongside Buddhism and Daoism as the prevailing schools of thought through subsequent dynasties.

For the most part, Confucian ethics deal with the promotion of virtues, or the Five Constants (wuchang - 五常) that were laid out in the Han Dynasty. These are ren (仁 - humaneness), yi (義 – justice or righteousness), li (禮 - etiquette), zhi (智 - knowledge), and xin (信 - integrity). Confucius encouraged other virtues such as zhong (忠 -loyalty) and xiao (孝 - filial piety).

During the Cultural Revolution, Mao endeavoured to erase Confucianism from the collective consciousness, feeling that it epitomised the old feudal ways he was keen to eradicate. However, in recent years, the Communist Party has encouraged a revival, believing that Confucian beliefs promote nationalist pride and patriotism, and promote that all-important social harmony. But has China come too far for Kongzi’s teachings to still hold true? Here are five Confucian concepts, along with their modern interpretations.

1) Harmony

Confucius advocated many types of social harmony, involving interpersonal relationships, national peace and family values. One of the most pervasive of his teachings was that everyone should know their place and act according to their ranking in society. Social harmony also means never openly criticizing another person, causing them to lose face. The concept of mianzi is one of the most famous and derided facets of the Chinese psyche for outsiders, and colours much interaction. Harmony on a national scale involves never allowing one’s country to be shamed on a world scale. For modern China, this involves tactics like "guiding" reporting on fiascos such as the recent Wenzhou train crash, and covering up tragic events to hide the full effects.

2) Guanxi

Although Confucius never used the word "guanxi" in his analects and teachings, preferring the term "lun", the concept has become one of his most enduring legacies. It is related to the ideal of social harmony and involves the use of interpersonal relationships to further one’s career or gain position. While guanxi may well have had its place in ancient China when social hierarchies were far more strictly enforced, in modern society it can lead to a hindering of upward mobility. To the Western world in which meritocracy is prized, guanxi looks very much like nepotism and corruption. However, it shows no signs of abating.

3) Collectivism

Confucius taught that righteousness lay in subordinating personal interest in favour of the wider group, and sacrificing individual needs. This ancient selflessness has been eroded by modern consumerism, but the group mentality persists. Chinese people often see their country as the "middle" (the literal meaning of Zhongguo), with everything else coming under the waiguo ("outside country") banner.

4) Filial Piety

In modern China, the immediate family remains the centre of the universe for the vast majority of people. This harks back to Confucius’ teachings about filial piety and the importance of respecting close relationships. Today, most married couples live with at least one set of parents, and it is common for the whole family to be involved in individual decisions. As well as the child to parent relationship, Kongzi valued the bond between ruler and ruled, husband and wife, friend and friend, and elder brother with younger brother. Social hierarchies are still observed more forcefully in China than in the West.

5) Diligence and Scholarship

Confucius’ analects came to play during the formation of the imperial examination system in the early 600s. China’s civil service became one of the nation’s proudest achievements, and the hard word required to pass the exams was seen as embodying Confucian virtues of scholarship. Today, the much-feared gaokao university entrance exams hold the same prestige, and competition is fierce. Among overseas Chinese communities, the stereotype of the studious pupil and pushy parent holds true.

It’s clear that Confucius still holds sway over the Chinese psyche, but many of his teachings have been eroded by progress and development. It is an easy cliché to claim that all Chinese behavioural patterns are explained by Confucianism, as many people have never studied the Analects. However, for social commentary with a historical setting, it’s an interesting debate.
 

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