TERMBASES
Things grow or wither as time goes by, or advance or retrogress as circumstances change. This term comes from The Book of Changes. Ancient Chinese believed that the world evolved with time, nothing remained unchanged and that people should act in keeping with the circumstances. They stressed that people should observe the way of heaven and “go with the times.”
Shi (时 time or timing) has the following three meanings: First, the sequence or rules of heaven’s way, such as spring, summer, autumn, and winter; or hours that mark changes of time during day and night; Second, a certain celestial phenomenon or climatic condition having impact on human activity, such as seasons for farming or timing for other activities; Third, the right time or opportunity that emerges in the course of human activity. The emergence or disappearance of timing is governed by the rules of heaven’s way or human behavior. People should gain a good understanding and master time or timing and their manifested rules and act in a way commensurate with them.
Waxing and waning are two ways in which things change. These two ways are opposites, but they also alternate with each other. When something has grown to a certain point, it will begin to decline, and having declined to a certain degree it will begin to grow again. All things between heaven and earth are in a process of waxing and waning in compliance with their internal laws. People need to grasp this law and act accordingly as things wax and wane.
The notion of adjusting one’s actions to the “times” comes from The Book of Changes. The “times” refer to the opportunities or chances that present themselves as human activities progress. In the circumstances determined by the times, one should choose correspondingly suitable methods of handling affairs. The appearance and disappearance of opportunities and chances, and their impact on human affairs reflect the principles of the way of heaven and human affairs. People should recognize and keep pace with the change of the times and adapt in agreement with the times.
One should face reality calmly and follow its natural course. This is an attitude to life espoused by the ancient philosopher Zhuangzi (369?-286 BC). He believed that all things undergo spontaneous transformations independent of man’s will and that humans should face the changes of life and death calmly. However, this does not mean passivity or resignation. It means that people should look upon life with detachment, be at ease with changes and follow life’s natural path. This is an extension of Laozi’s principle that “Dao operates naturally.”
In the context of this term, “laws” refers to the administrative edicts of a ruler as well as institutions and laws. “Times” refers primarily to the prevailing social conditions. “Rites” mainly refer to a society’s moral norms and codes of conduct. In addition to social conventions and mores, “customs” also include popular sentiment. This expression means since everything is constantly changing and evolving, institutions, laws and rites must change correspondingly. It opposes being bound by tradition, favors innovation and change, and espouses the basic principle that a country’s governance should follow the times and respond to popular will. This is an example of the concept of “going with the times” contained in The Book of Changes, and it also resonates with the concept of “putting the people first” advocated by Confucianism.
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