By Li Gang

Confucianism’s Role In Collective Culture

By Li Gang

About the author:Li Gang is a professor at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

One of the most striking dif f erences between Eastern and Western cultures is the difference in values of individualism versus collectivism. For Westerners, everything serves the individual’s values and rights, while Chinese believe the collective is superior as there could not be a self without the collective.

This traditional Chinese set of values was formed on the basis of a collective orientation and was profoundly influenced by thousands of years of agricultural civilization and Confucianism. The collective relationship not only includes the relationship between an individual and his family, but also between the individual and the country, the nation, the society and other individuals. In China’s traditional patriarchal society, the basic components are families instead of individuals. In the network of blood relationships, each individual is given clear obligations and responsibilities. The parents and the family raise the offspring, and the of f spring perform filial piety towards the parents and the family. The destiny of the individual is intimately linked with that of his family or clan that the individual relies on. When the family is prosperous, the individual is too, and when the family ends up ruined, so does the individual. The individual has little relevance outside the context of family and clan.

Such value is represented in many aspects nowadays. Travel is a good example. In the West, most people prefer not to travel in a group. Regardless of whether they are rich or poor, they prefer to be individual travelers with suf ficient personal space for themselves. Chinese are dif f erent in that they prefer to be together, whether it is traveling, dining out or working as a team. On their own, they feel quite lonely. As a matter of fact, Westerners receive similar pleasure in their independence as Chinese do when they are with other people.

Since Chinese people love being together, it is paramount to take the interests of the group into account, and the individual must follow the will of the collective. The reason behind this lies in the fact that the philosophical core of Chinese culture is an awareness of the collective, while the philosophical core of Western culture is awareness of the individual. The awareness of the individual means that each person is an independent individual with his own personality and will. His choices and behaviors shall not be intruded upon by others, be it a vote in a presidential election or a choice of a new job. The awareness of the collective means that the individual is but a part of the collective, and the interests of the collective and that of the individual are one in the same. The collective value is the individual’s value.

When making a decision, Chinese tend to consider what others might think or say. Modesty and courtesy are virtues praised highly by Chinese, and Chinese feel that development should be achieved in a stable environment. Chinese prefer to adapt themselves to different circumstances, not to contend for attention or personal gain. Public opinion is more likely negative towards individuals who draw attention to themselves, and this sentiment is expressed in common sayings such as “A tall tree inspires the wind” and “The bird which takes the lead gets shot first.”

Confucianism is a culture that encourages the collective. A member of such a culture is not an independent individual but belongs to a collective. Professor Tu Weiming at Harvard University pointed out that the concept of “self” in Confucianism is relative to others, as there is no self without other people. Meanwhile, the self will be fulfilled only when one’s personal needs become the same as the needs of others. According to Confucius, “He who wishes to establish himself seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others.” So in the eyes of those who believe in Confucianism, the relationship between the individual and the collective is just like that between a drop of water and the sea. A drop of water is trivial and will soon dry up. But if it flows into the sea, it gains vitality and power. The individual should take on a similar mindset by taking concerted action with the collective, and should join in the collective for strengthened capability and power. That is to say, the mentality of the Chinese is to seek what’s common and to set aside what’s dif f erent. Though Confucianism sometimes suggests “maintaining dif f erences but still being in harmony”, and encourages individualistic spirit, on the whole, Confucianism has always encouraged sticking to ethics from the perspective of the collective.

Confucianism, with Confucius’ and Mencius’ theories as its core, provides a unique living philosophy for Chinese. The individual is but a tiny drop in the ocean and very insignificant. When there are more people, there is more strength, and unity and solidarity generate power. Confucianism encourages a mindset that “every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country”. Throughout Chinese history, the pursuits of righteous men were expressed by some sayings or poems, including encouragement “to be the first to be concerned with state affairs and the last to enjoy oneself.” Other examples include “What man was ever immune from death? Let me but leave a loyal heart shining in the pages of history,” and “when poor, keep oneself virtuous; when rich and prominent, do good deeds for society”. These famous lines have been passed on for generations and fully embody Chinese values.