Abstract
According to Confucius, the gentleman acts upon the principle of harmonization without being patternized, while the petty man upon the rule of patternization without being harmonized. The former principle is by nature inclusive and tolerant due to its being receptive and open to different but constructive components. By so doing does it hanker after unity in diversity while revolting against any hegemonic dominance of the one over the many. Conversely, the latter rule is factually exclusive and intolerant due to its non-receptive and closed tendency to no other factors than the absolutely similar ones. It therefore refuses to draw similarity from discrepancy, but clings to singular similarity alone.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
According to the original Chinese version, its English rendering is rephrased with reference to the above two versions apart from a bilingual one by Cai Xiqin and Lai Bo. Cf. Confucius, Analects of Confucius (trans. Cai Xiqin and Lai Bo, Beijing: Sinolingua, 1994), 13:23.
- 2.
Confucius, Analects of Confucius , 17:13.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Foreign Language Teaching and Research Publishing Co., Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Wang, K. (2019). The Receptive Mode. In: Harmonism as an Alternative. Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture. Palgrave Pivot, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3564-8_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3564-8_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Pivot, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-3563-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-3564-8
eBook Packages: Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religion (R0)