The essay puts an emphasis on how to find a sustainable way of life in a modern society characterized by an uncertain age. From the perspective of the Confucian normative principle of self-realization, it explores the social ideology of sustainability...
The essay puts an emphasis on how to find a sustainable way of life in a modern society characterized by an uncertain age. From the perspective of the Confucian normative principle of self-realization, it explores the social ideology of sustainability related to human values based upon the relationship between individuals and their communities.
In the study and thought of Confucianism, JingQuan(經權) has the point of view on the question of practice in real life and the justification of practical action. This is closely associated with self-realization, that is, the completion of human moral character and the ethical code of society. In a modern society dominated by the principle of uncertainty, we excavates the practical conduct of life and its justification in JingQuan. In particular, it was considered that the value of sustainability in the modern society can be reinterpreted as a principle of sustainable practice in the modern society.
From a historical context of the Neo-Confucian tradition, we can see that it is comprehensively criticized and integrated by Zhu-Xi, starting with the doctrine of Confucius and Mencius through the doctrine of the JingQuan of Han Dynasty which is represented in Dong Zhongshu and Song Dynasty’s Cheng Yi.
Through this JingQuan integrated by Zhu-Xi, the problem of situation recognition requested by modern society was analyzed in accordance with the process of correct recognition, internal training and external practice, which is the process of self-realization of Confucianism.
A remarkable topic in modern society in minimizing confrontation and conflict and pursuing common values is the principle of sustainability. The principle of sustainability began with the issue of conservation of natural ecosystems, growth and development of human societies, harmony and balance between the two. This principle reflects how human beings' existential values and values of life can be inherited and sustained in later generations, rather than simply in harmony with the natural ecosystem.
This principle of sustainability extends from the relationship between Nature and society to focus on the sustainability of the individual components that form a structure of a given system and the overall structure of these individual components. In particular, from the viewpoint of Zhu-Xi's ‘the ontological theory of Supreme Ultimate(太極本體論)’, ‘One Principle and Its Multi Manifestations(理一分殊)’, and Fractal theory, the essay explores the sustainability of harmony and harmony among the individuals and their entire society.
In addition, this thesis discusses how the value of self-realization will enhance the positive value of sustainability in the organic networks of individuals and their society by linking the principle of modern sustainability based on the alternative function and practical wisdom.
The Quan is based on ‘the Middle Way(中庸)' and ‘Shizhong(時中)' to practice 'Zhengdao(中道)' in accordance with the timeliness of the situation, thus giving the individual the right direction and justification for their actions in today's society where uncertainty prevails. And, in the social networks, it can be expanded to a sustainable practical wisdom in which all members can coexist in the variables of various situations.
JingQuan's views reflect the problems of practice in real life and the justification of practical actions. Reflecting this view, ‘Statecraft’ relates to the completion of the moral character of a human individual and the ethical code of a community. The principles of Confucianism - ‘Self-cultivating’ and ‘People-governing’, ‘Inner Sagehood’ and ‘Outer kingship’ - seek to balance and balance individual's inner character with social and realistic circumstances.
Zhu-Xi emphasizes the moral discipline of an individual through his study of a ‘Ge-wu-zhi-zhi’, but stresses that he would not just cultivate but do his part in society.
The social ideology of Confucianism, ‘the Unity of Heaven and Human(天人合一)’, is the value of harmony and coexistence, and has an integrated orientation toward human relations with Nature and the way of life. The idea of ‘the Unity of Heaven and Human’ is based upon the communicative and harmonious nexus of ‘The Way of Providence’ and ‘Morality of Humanity'. ‘The Way of Providence’s natural laws are implemented in human society as the universal value of human beings. and ‘Morality of Humanity' is a social concept of sustainability in which all humans co-exist with all myriad beings and lead their own lives in the world. Through the balance and harmony of material, economic, spiritual and cultural development, namely, the principle of self-realization, the process of achieving the lives of individual human beings moves to social harmony and maturity which depend upon the performance of Neo-Confucianism about ‘Self-cultivating’ and ‘People-governing’, ‘Inner Sagehood’ and ‘Outer kingship.’