Confucian Philosophy And Chinese Literature

Confucian philosophy (551-479 BCE) has influenced Chinese literature for over two millennia, with its core values including morality, social conduct, and harmony. In Chinese literary traditions, these values are of higher importance; they have shaped themes across historical periods through its importance in Chinese beliefs. In this essay, I will discuss the concept of "Ren", "Li," and "Xiao."

"Ren" (仁)

The concept of "Ren" is a main part of Confucian philosophy. "Ren" (仁) is often translated as benevolence (or humaneness), encouraging individuals to act with kindness, empathy, and understanding, which combines into the concept of social harmony.

This can be seen in Chinese literature, where characters embodying the concept of "Ren" served as moral symbols of ethical behavior in their stories. For example, the classic novel "The Water Margin" (水浒传) (which is attributed to Shi Nai'an), portrays this concept. "The Water Margin" took place during the Northern Song Dynasty and narrated the journey of a band of outlaws rebelling against the local government. Even though the outlaws were committing treason against the authorities (who were innately corrupt), they maintained a code of honor - an example of "Ren."

"Li" (礼)

Another important concept in Confucian thought is "Li" (礼), which generally translates into "correct behavior" or "ritual." Confucius believed that adherence to "Li" maintained societal order. Originally, this concept was referred to by rituals and ceremonies (hence the latter definition), but Confucius reinterpreted the definition to relate to daily life. "Li" stressed for proper conduct in society and family norms, such as taking one's responsibility and position. For instance, within a family, children should show filial piety to their parents since it is a responsibility and their position to be respectful.

"Li" and "Ren" are actually considered to be complementary to each other; both ultimately lead to moral development and respect within the societal order. "Li" focuses more on the self-cultivation aspect of morality, where individuals practice kindness and respect within themselves - this can lead to "Ren."

However, an imbalance of "Li" or "Ren' could produce counter-effects. If an individual practices "Li" over "Ren," they could develop a sense of hypocrisy and superficiality; likewise, too much "Ren" can lead to a lack of social cohesion. Practicing both are important in order to achieve a good moral character.

"Xiao" (孝)

The term "Xiao" (孝), meaning filial piety, is another important concept in Confucianism. "Xiao" is a fundamental, root virtue that, according to Confucius, sustains a family's harmony, leading to a greater social harmony. Children show respect to their parents, elders, and ancestors - this goes beyond the surface-level respect. They show devotion, gratitude, and care, which continues on for generations to maintain family harmony.

This is exemplified in "The Tale of the White Snake" (白蛇传). The protagonist, Xu Xian, deals with his filial duties and his love for Bai Suzhen, a snake spirit. He deals with juggling personal love conflicts with the importance of familial bonds. Another great example is in the movie "Mulan." Although this is not a piece of literature, the character Mulan shows "Xiao" by providing great respect to her parents and grandmother, as well as her ancestors, in the stage of the movie before she goes to war.

Literature

Confucian philosophy influences historical and biographical literature. For example, "Records of the Grand Historian" (史记) by Sima Qian is a special work that recorded Chinese History, and it reflects many themes of philosophy within it. Sima Quan's portrayal of historical figures emphasize their adherence to Confucian ideals, emphasizing their moral virtues, failings, and commitment to lawful actions.

In addition to prose, Confucianism significantly impacted Chinese poetry. The famous poet Du Fu (who is deemed as China's greatest poet), aligned his works with Confucian ideals by frequently addressing social issues and the responsibilities of government officials. These issues he addresses reflect Confucian concerns - he looks out for societal welfare, harmony, ethical leadership, to name a few. Du Fu's combination of ideas and social commentary are just another example proving how Confucian thought shaped literary expression.