Confucian ethics, idea and behavior criterion were embodied in "everything" of life, especially in the building as an important tool for moralizing. Taking a case study on vernacular houses of Dongting East ...Confucian ethics, idea and behavior criterion were embodied in "everything" of life, especially in the building as an important tool for moralizing. Taking a case study on vernacular houses of Dongting East Mountain and West Mountain, this paper reveals the "moderate", "etiquette" and "benevolence" as moral contents in the building's layout, form, space, decoration and so on. The moralizing reflects a subtle way of guidance, as well as diversified and systematic characteristics. Vernacular houses deeply mingled with daily life, had unique influence as physical environment, thus realizing the implementation and manifestation of Confucian moralizing ideas that have been converted to folk customs. In sum, the Confucian moralizing function carried by vernacular houses is the product of institutions and rules, and it is also the manifestation of conscious inheritance of cultural identity.展开更多
Thinking about the decline of morality in post-reform China, the author analyzes the development of virtuous governance based on moral education, and concludes that the reason why ancient rulers were so infatuated wit...Thinking about the decline of morality in post-reform China, the author analyzes the development of virtuous governance based on moral education, and concludes that the reason why ancient rulers were so infatuated with it was the inhibitive function of public evaluation on moral transgressions in familiar neighborhoods. However, as China transforms into a dynamic and commercial society, and its people move from familiar neighborhoods to alienated communities in the cities, public evaluation is losing its power over moral transgressors. To prevent the collapse of the moral system, it is necessary to use rule by law to foster people＇s sense of justice and rule-consciousness--not to simply hope for the appearance of more altruists. This is possible because law is the embodiment of moral principle, and because legal restraints and penalties can be internalized as habits. After a sense of justice and rule-consciousness has been established in people, we can again take up Confucian virtue education to nurture people＇s sense of shame and dignity, and their humane and righteous mind. However, to stop the current chaos and corruption, it is urgeat that we adopt rule by law and supplement it with moral education.展开更多
基金Sponsored by the Philosophical and Social Science Research Project in Colleges and Universities of Jiangsu Province(2010SJB760012)
文摘Confucian ethics, idea and behavior criterion were embodied in "everything" of life, especially in the building as an important tool for moralizing. Taking a case study on vernacular houses of Dongting East Mountain and West Mountain, this paper reveals the "moderate", "etiquette" and "benevolence" as moral contents in the building's layout, form, space, decoration and so on. The moralizing reflects a subtle way of guidance, as well as diversified and systematic characteristics. Vernacular houses deeply mingled with daily life, had unique influence as physical environment, thus realizing the implementation and manifestation of Confucian moralizing ideas that have been converted to folk customs. In sum, the Confucian moralizing function carried by vernacular houses is the product of institutions and rules, and it is also the manifestation of conscious inheritance of cultural identity.
文摘Thinking about the decline of morality in post-reform China, the author analyzes the development of virtuous governance based on moral education, and concludes that the reason why ancient rulers were so infatuated with it was the inhibitive function of public evaluation on moral transgressions in familiar neighborhoods. However, as China transforms into a dynamic and commercial society, and its people move from familiar neighborhoods to alienated communities in the cities, public evaluation is losing its power over moral transgressors. To prevent the collapse of the moral system, it is necessary to use rule by law to foster people＇s sense of justice and rule-consciousness--not to simply hope for the appearance of more altruists. This is possible because law is the embodiment of moral principle, and because legal restraints and penalties can be internalized as habits. After a sense of justice and rule-consciousness has been established in people, we can again take up Confucian virtue education to nurture people＇s sense of shame and dignity, and their humane and righteous mind. However, to stop the current chaos and corruption, it is urgeat that we adopt rule by law and supplement it with moral education.
