Counter-Social Relationalism in Chinese Civilization
Resource
國立臺灣大學考古人類學刊, 78, 1-36
Journal
國立臺灣大學考古人類學刊
Journal Issue
78
Pages
1-36
Date Issued
2013-06
Date
2013-06
Author(s)
Yen, H.C.
Abstract
In their eagerness to find a sharp contrast between China and the West,Fei Xiaotong and Lian Shuming contended social relationalism or guanxi to be the very fabric of Chinese society. This article argues against this thesis not so much by denying the existence of social relationalism as by questioning its appropriateness in understanding China as a complex society. I point out that the most important structural problem for every complex society is to establish social order among strangers, people who are not personally related. This is substantiated by the Chinese social theories of the Warring-States period more than two thousand years ago. Most of them claimed the calculation of kinship distance from one’s self was the cause of social chaos. To solve the problem of strangers, they proposed a ladder model that evaluated people by an absolute standard of merit. The relative positions on the ladder provide coordination for social interaction. This article also compares the ladder model with the dualistic model most prominent in the modern West.
Subjects
關係主義、陌生人、社會演化、階梯架構、二元人觀(relationalism, stranger, social evolution, ladder structure, dualism)
Type
journal article
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