Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture

Nature’s Ways Are Constant.

Changes in nature follow constant rules. This concept comes from Xunzi (313?-238BC). But this idea has an even longer history. The ancient Chinese believed that changes in nature followed certain rules. More importantly, the rules or laws governing nature are constant and are not affected by changes in human affairs or humans’ attitude towards nat…

Heaven-bestowed Supreme Power Is Not Eternal.

This term first appears in The Book of Songs. It means that there is no one who can forever remain a recipient of the bestowed supreme power by the Ruler of Heaven. The ancients believed that the heavenly order determined to whom the supreme royal power belonged. However, the choice of the recipient of such a conferment was not forever. Replacement …

Of All Living Things, Humanity’s Spirit Shines Brightest.

Humans hold a distinctive position in the panoply of life, recognized as the beings possessing the most vibrant spirit. This concept, originating from The Book of History, epitomizes the ancient Chinese perspective on humanity and serves as the philosophical bedrock for notions of human compassion and care in governance. A manifestation of the inher…

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: The purposes of the Project are to select the concepts in Chinese culture and thought that reflect the characteristics of the country's traditional culture and the Chinese people's way of thinking, and that embody the core values of China.
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