neo-confucianism as the basis for asian economic growth j.d. han with yang zheng confucius
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Neo-Confucianism as the Basis for Asian Economic
Growth
J.D. Han with Yang Zheng
Confucius
1. Confucius( 孔子 )(B.C. 552-479)
His teachings are in
“Dialectics (论语 )”
Confucius
1) The Main Difference Compared with Western Christianity , the Confucianism is
not a religion, but an ethic.
Judgment and morals norm can come from a person himself,
Ideas come from the Jesus or God or other systems.
2) Confucius’s Core Ideas
He disliked the society ruled by Laws, Regulations, and Punishments.
He believed that the society should be ruled by educated Leaders with a clear sense of Noblesse Oblige devoted to Humanity
-> ‘Confucian Leadership Model’
(1) Benevolence
The core value of Confucianism is rén ( 仁 ).
- direct translation "benevolence "or Goodness
- in concrete, it means the virtue of perfectly fulfilling one's responsibilities toward others.
Yì can be translated as righteousness
This is doing the right thing for the right reason.
This balances out with Humanity.
(2) Justice
Li, is described by using some forms of the word ‘ritual’, it has also been translated as ‘etiquette' and ‘rules of proper behaviors’.
(3) Etiquettes
(4) Knowledge 智 Knowledge or wisdom
(6) Doctrine of the Mean 中庸
Controlling pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in the state of Equilibrium.
This comes from the Judgement to keep balance.
This leads to the state of Harmony ( 和 ).
(7) Life-Long Learning andPracticing 学 习
Studying/Learning is a life-long process.
Leaning is to become a noble person with virtue of noblis = ‘Philosopher’ of Plato
Emphasizes “Practicing what is learned”
-> Noble persons rule and lead
-> ‘Phlisopher King’ of Plato
How did they work to be the System of Institutions?
Leaders are to be Educated, Ethical, Benevolent Philosophers
Education + Bureaucrat Exam + Meritocracy provide competition for leadership
Members of each level of society follow the leaders without conflicts
Philosopher Leader versus Petty Person Virtue = Noblesse Oblige makes the difference
- Continuous selection/refinement is needed. Revolution against Petty Leaders is justified
Educated People
Philosopher Leaders
Petty Persons
Comparisons
Comparable to Plato’s “Philosopher King” in his Republic
Philosopher Leaders are to be devoted to Humanity, and Justice for members.
-> Ground for political legitimacy
-> Benevolent Dictatorship, not Democracy
-> Efficient and effective.
2. Changes in Confucianism
What the Confucius said has not changed, but its Interpretation has changed.
Evolution Original Confucianism preceded the inflow of
Buddhism in China from India
Confucianism became Tools for Oppression by the Han Dynasty. 》
-> Feudalistic Confucianism.
Oppressed people relied more and more on Buddhism and Taoism
With the challenge of Buddhism, Confucianism was innovated into Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty(
3. The Innovation of Neo-Classical Confucianism
Ethical Aspect - Reemphasizing Humanity
- Open up a possible Reform
1) Zhu Xi( 朱喜 )
founder of Neo-Confucianism in Song Dynasty (A.D 960–1279)
He pushes Confucianism to a higher state, which make it become a Confucianism development milestone of the history
Main Concept
Li (lĭ) is a concept found in Neo-Confucian Chinese philosophy. It’s the principle that is in everything and governs the universe. Each person has a perfect li.
Individuals should act perfectly moral
It may be translated as rational principle or rationality
His Achievements He added metaphysical dimensions (ideas
from Taoism and Buddhism) into Confucianism.
Reemphasizing Cultivation of Mind( 心学 ), Ethic(道学 ), and Innovation (维新 )
extending this Personal Ethic to Social Philosophy and National Religion.
2) Huang Zongxi ( 黄宗羲 1610-95)95) Huang was notable for being one of the first
Neo-Confucians to stress the need for constitutional law and considered as the father of the Enlightenment -> China’s Rousseau
“Light Recessed, and Waiting for the Dawn”(明夷待访录 ) was a summary of ideas about political reform.
The political tract begins with a condemnation of selfish autocratic rule, and declares that the world should belong to the people
3) Kang Youwei( 康有为 1875-1927)
He argued for the combination of
Western Technology ( 西器 )
+ Chinese Neo-Confucianism ( 东道 )
+ Socialist Communism Emperor’s tutor; Constitutional
Monarchist; Neo-Confucian Reformer ( 孔子改制
考 )
4) Tu Weiming ( 杜維明 1940-)
Professor of Harvard University Sponsored by Prime Minister Li Kwan
Yew of Singapore He argued that Neo-Confucianism is
conducive for personal edification as well as Economic Growth
Neo-Confucian Leadership is essential for Economic Growth
* Confucianism + Economy
Confucianism for Modesty, Thrifty
-> Savings and Investment Confucianism for Enlightenment
-> Education and Human Capital Confucianism for Order, Harmony, Doctrine of the
Mean
-> Social Capitial
Confucianism for Self-Edifying, Virtue, Noblesse-Oblige
-> Governance: Minimum Transactions Cost and Maximum Leadership
-Collectivism vs Individualism
Example: Li Jiacheng ; The Li Ka Shing Foundation
To date, the sponsorships and commitments approx.$ 990 million
- Doctrine of the Mean in Business Competition
Stress to moderate and response. Appeal greatly and together and save small difference, oppose competing excessively
4. Neo-Confucianism in East Asia
Neo-Confucianism spread to Korea and Japan
In Korea and Japan, People have various religions, but regard Neo-Confucianism as the guiding ethical principle for personal, family, society, and national levels.
In China, there was a period of official suspension of Confucianism between 1949-1980s, which is followed by a revival of Confucianism.
1) Neo-Confucian Experience in Japan
Neo-Confucianism transplanted to Business
= Zaibatsu
-> Modern Keiretsu in Japan
-> Chaebols in Korea
History
Meiji Restoration ( 明治维新 )
15th Shogunate ( 德川庆喜 ) resigned his position
November 9, 1867
Edo Period
(Tokugawa
Shogunate)
( 德川幕府 )
Meiji Era
Boshin War
January, 1868
Meiji Restoration Reformers
were Samurai class backed up
by Neo-Confucians.
Policies
• Economic Development by the State Leader ship
•State Leadership: Uphold the Emperor, and Strengthen the army and Enrich the Nation ( 富国强兵 )
•Education: Compulsory Education
•Open Up to World for Trade and Technology
Japanese government needed New Class of Entrepreneurs.
Samurai-turned-into-Businessman
Why reformed Samurai?
— Traditional warrior class was detrimental to Social Stability and Industrialization; had to be
disarmed.
— Still, well-Educated, noble Samurai Spirit/Patriotism may be put into use
Noble PeopleGovernmentEntrepreneurs
(Zaibatsu)
ProfitSociety
Modern Japanese Neo-Confucian System
Education
Pre-WW II Zaibatsu Mitsubishi
Mitsui
Sumitomo
Yasuda
* Mitsubishi
- One of the Major Zaibatsu
— Established in 1870 by Iwasaki (Yotaro 岩崎 弥太郎 )
— closely related to Meiji Restoration and State Leadership
— Now: Mitsubishi Bank
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Post WW II Keiretsu
Horizontal Keiretsu
Mitsubishi
Mitsui
Sumitomo
Fuyo
Sanwa
Daichi Kangyo
Vertical KeiretsuToyota
Nissan
Honda
Daihatsu
Isuzu--------
Hitachi
Toshiba
Sanyo
Matsushita
Sony
2) Korea
Chaebol:
-LG; Samsung; Hyundai; Daewoo; Hanhwa
-Neo-Confucian organization and operation
- Effective and efficient in Korean social context
3) In China
This idea deviates China's focus from economic growth to overall societal balance.
Hu-Wen New Administration President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao
have adopt more reform-oriented and more open-minded policy.
Premier Wen always wear a overcoat which has ten year history.
Future of Neo-Confucianism
China may unite the East Asia with the doctrine of Neo-Confucianism.
Hu-Wen government of China supports studies and spread of Neo-Confucianism.
5. Conclusion
Not all Confucianism is conducive for Innovative Society, and Neo-Confucianism is.
The essence of Neo-Confucianism is Ethic of Humanity.
<- comparable with Protestant Ethic Ethic of Humanity is conducive for
Accumulation of Human Capital, Social Capital, and Government Leadership.
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