Chinese Philosophy Research Articles

The development of music education philosophy in mainland China during 1990–2022: A corpus-based thematic review

This study used corpus-based text analysis to examine the discourse on Music Education Philosophy (MEP) in 346 Chinese scholarly articles published after 1990. Applying topic modelling techniques, the study identified 685 key terms in the corpus that collectively established six prevailing themes: Aesthetics, Praxis, Confucianism, Teaching and Learning, Values of music education, and Influence factors of music education. It was discovered that Aesthetics, Praxis, and Confucianism were three streams in Chinese literature that significantly influenced the MEP study landscape. In contrast, the other three topics served as the ‘battleground’ for these competing philosophical paradigms. The study discussed the sources of contemporary MEP in China, where combined influences from European North American Chinese philosophies are evident. It was argued that music, education, and philosophy emerge as three equally critical components that collectively define the inherent ‘nature’ of MEP. Thus, while the nature of music does not predetermine the nature of music education, the foundation of music education was shaped collectively by understandings, judgements, and expectations of music and education in the Chinese context. In addition, corpus analysis presented a promising methodological approach for tracing the evolution of discourse over time and facilitating critical inquiries in MEP discourses.

The essence of dance. A study of Chinese and Western dance philosophy: socio-cultural, historical and educational aspects

ABSTRACT The art of dance is an intangible cultural heritage that occupies a special place in the social and cultural policy of China. The purpose of this research is to identify the specifics of Chinese and Western dance philosophy. The dance philosophy is a complex notion, which is possible to study through various research methods, including the following: dialectical, semiotic, specific historical, socio-cultural and analytical as well as expert evaluation. This study concludes that the philosophical framework of Chinese and Western dance art plays an essential role. The authors developed a conceptual framework for understanding Chinese and Western dance philosophies. The research revealed that the unique traditions of Chinese national dance are an integral part of the country’s cultural heritage and reflect the philosophical aspects of dance within the multicultural environment. The research results can be used in dance pedagogy, choreography, and dance lessons to improve the techniques and skills of dancers. Further research is needed to compare the philosophies of Chinese folk dances and Western folk dances from different countries and historical periods.

Chinese philosophy—embodied philosophy

Chinese philosophy—embodied philosophy

The Practice of Chinese Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence Education

The Practice of Chinese Philosophy in Artificial Intelligence Education

Interpreting Confucianism in Chinese Philosophical Context with Qualia Structure

Chinese philosophy understood through the key philosophical terms has been made familiar to Western readers by first “Christianizing” it, and then by “Orientalizing” it. Many of new translations of these canonical texts are uncritically perpetuating the same formula for rendering key philosophical terms proffered in the earlier efforts at cultural translation. Those who are working with the Master of Confucianism in China reconsider the Confucian values and attempt to interpret Confucianism in Chinese philosophical context. This paper employs the qualia structure (Pustejovsky 1991) to verify the validation of three important Confucian concepts, rén (仁), lǐ(礼) and dé (德), of the total 92 Confucian conceptual terms from The Analects (Lúnyǚ,《论语》) and Tao-Te Ching (Dàodéjīng,《道德经》) as the case studies. The qualia structure investigates the semantic information of the core characters in both source and target text which can effectively clarify the correspondence in Chinese-English translation in that the equivalent semantic information can be regarded as the equivalent translation. Furthermore, through this research, misunderstandings can be avoided and foreigners will find it easy to understand Chinese culture.

“Chineseness”: A Discussion on Cases Related to Tulou in Contemporary Chinese Architecture

The article delves into the concept of “Chineseness” in contemporary Chinese architecture, a strategic tool for creating distinctive styles rooted in Chinese identity. It serves not only to distinguish projects from market-driven trends but also to establish a pivotal position in the global architectural landscape. "Chineseness" among 24 identified keywords represents a practical strategy embraced by many young architects with international exposure. The traditional Chinese dwelling, a symbol of familial and cultural essence, particularly in the context of home culture, is a primary inspiration for contemporary architects. The research adopts a case study approach, focusing on Tulou-related cases from the last fifteen years, encompassing various building types. The Tulou, a mountain-dwelling with rich cultural connotations, is introduced, reflecting ancient Chinese philosophies in its architectural principles. The case studies, including URBANUS’s “Tulou Collective Housing 2008" and Chengdu’s “Tulou Theater,” demonstrate how Tulou prototypes can be creatively adapted. These designs not only replicate forms but also capture the communal spirit inherent in traditional dwellings. “Stepped Courtyards” by OPEN Architecture reinterprets Tulou typology for a staff dormitory, emphasizing community awareness. In conclusion, the concept of “Chineseness” emerges as a prominent topic, showcasing the dynamic and adaptable nature of traditional Chinese culture and modern architectural expressions. The cases illustrate the evolving intersection between traditional Chinese culture and modern architecture, offering insights into the future trajectory of Chinese architectural culture. The interrelated keywords highlight the nuanced and evolving nature of “Chineseness” in architectural practices.

From individual resilience to collective response: reframing ecological emotions as catalysts for holistic environmental engagement.

The ongoing international study on the mental health implications of climate change has prompted a deeper exploration of ecological emotions such as eco-anxiety, eco-worry and eco-grief, which are associated with environmental degradation and the escalating climate crisis. Although psychological and mental health literature has mainly presented preliminary conceptual analyses, the understanding of ecological emotions remains unclear. This narrative review aims to clarify the definition, highlight precipitating factors, and outline the effects of ecological emotions on mental health, emphasizing the need for thorough research to shift the nonclinical intervention approach from merely promoting individual resilience to encouraging collective engagement. Our analysis of the literature reveals that the existing theoretical framework, which predominantly focuses on bolstering individual resilience, provides only temporary relief for acute symptoms without addressing the foundational social and environmental factors that trigger these ecological emotions. We conclude that it is crucial to overcome the limitations of Western anthropocentrism's human-to-human interaction approach and embrace the unity of humans and nature to effectively manage the increasing ecological emotions. This perspective draws insights from the holistic and collective wisdom of indigenous cultures and traditional Chinese philosophy, offering a potential pathway toward maintaining a sustainable emotional balance amid the worsening global ecological turmoil.

Visual Analysis of the Design Thinking Process of Yixing Zisha Teapots

Yixing Zisha teapots are an integral part of China's intangible cultural heritage, with their design traditions primarily relying on oral teaching and practice rather than systematic theoretical research. To address this research gap, this study engaged 10 expert practitioners in a design workshop, where numerous design sketches were produced. Using visual analysis, these sketches were thoroughly visually analyzed to explore the design processes and thinking patterns of Yixing Zisha teapot creation. The results reveal that the design process involves six distinct aspects: design form, design methods, design themes, design proportion, Classical Chinese philosophy, and decorative design. By systematically analyzing these aspects, this study preliminarily constructs a model of the design thinking process for Yixing Zisha teapots. This finding provides valuable perspectives and theoretical support for standardizing and systematizing the design processes of Yixing Zisha teapots, aiding in the education of new designers, and preserving the vitality of this traditional craft. These achievements not only open new research directions for the future development of Yixing Zisha teapot design but also offer insights and inspiration for the design research of other traditional crafts.

Interdependency and Change: God in the Chinese Theology of Xie Fuya (1892–1991)

Xie Fuya (1892–1991), a major Chinese Christian thinker, has contributed much to the development of Sino-theology. However, his work has yet to receive the recognition it deserves. As a thinker who is well-versed in both Chinese and Western philosophies while dedicating himself to the exploration of the philosophy of religion, Xie presents a dual feature in his writings. On the one hand, his work engages in a dialogical discourse between Eastern and Western philosophies. On the other hand, his writings represent an ambitious attempt to interpret traditional Chinese philosophical tenets within the context of Christian theology, transverse from the level of human nature to the level of ontological existence, representing an innovative model of contemplation in the field of Sino-theology. This contribution is of immense value to the development of Chinese philosophical thought. For this reason, this article attempts to illustrate, through Xie’s writings in various stages of his life, his relentless effort to promote the integration of Eastern and Western philosophies within the framework of Chinese thought. His most notable accomplishment in this East–West confluence effort is his unique assumption of God’s attributions as both zhonghe (literally “middle harmony”, connoted as interdependency by Xie) and bianyi (change).

Chan, Garden, and Poetry: The Tidal Sounds in the Changshou Monastery Garden of Canton in the Qing Dynasty

The Caodong School (曹洞宗) advocates the integration of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism (三教會通) and interprets Chan through the I Ching (以易釋禪). During the transition from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty, there was extensive interaction and mobility between the Ming loyalists (遺民) and Chan monks. This accelerated the secularization of monks and promoted the construction of temple gardens, which were expressed and preserved through literary Chan poetry. This study explores the relationship between Buddhist concepts and garden construction through a specific case, the Changshou Monastery Garden (長壽寺花園) in Canton (now Guangzhou) during the Qing Dynasty. This study examines how the Chan master Shilian Dashan 石濂大汕 (1633–1705), who journeyed to Dang Trong (Cochinchina 廣南) to spread Buddhist teachings, shaped the design and layout of the temple garden, reflecting Buddhist ideals and Caodong principles. This study analyzes the changes in landscape at the Changshou Monastery Garden, according to “the sound of tides” (潮音) from a Buddhist perspective. It also reveals how Dashan, as both a monk and a literati, blended Chan and Chinese philosophy in making the garden. The cultural resonance of tides within religious and literati traditions furnishes novel insights and prospects for the development of garden spaces.

Back to Divination Practice: Cross-Cultural Characteristics of Dunhuang Birdsong Divination Book IOLTibJ747

Divination, as an important component of Chinese philosophy, plays an important role in reflecting the complex historical background in history and folklore. Especially in the Dunhuang region, which has experience in cross-cultural communication, the divination books unearthed from it have high reference value for understanding the complex historical background of Dunhuang at that time. This article selects the Dunhuang Birdsong Divination Book IOLTibJ747 as the research object, and through text analysis and historical analysis, re-examines the living conditions of the Dunhuang people during the Tibetan rule and the influence reflected by cross-cultural experiences. On the one hand, this article believes that IOLTibJ747 has a multilingual nature and integrates folk tales born in various cultural backgrounds, as well as the cross-cultural experience of the Dunhuang region during Tibetan rule in terms of bird species selection. On the other hand, this article believes that IOLTibJ747's emphasis on the spatiotemporal coordinates of divination and the selection of divination themes both point to the historical fact that war was the main topic of people's life in the Dunhuang region during the Tibetan rule. This article has certain reference value for exploring academic approaches to cross-cultural research, international relations research, and social history research through Zi Xue academic literature.

<b>Ancient Chinese Philosophy in Korea: Implied Influences of Confucianism in Contemporary Korea and the Korean Idealistic Alteration</b>

This paper methodically described the implied influences that the traditional Chinese philosophy of Confucianism enacts in contemporary Korea. In ancient times, Korea has a strong link to China and has imported China’s traditions and thoughts that contributed in the enrichments of Korean culture, while Confucianism is an ideal representative among them. After 2000s, Confucianism preserved in the sociocultural aspect of Korea as part of its tradition. However, the younger generation’s thoughts and habits are highly affected by the Korean Wave and the advancements of eras, therefore, certain idealistic alteration in contemporary Korea have produced. By clarifying the implicit influences of Confucianism in current Korean society and its unique alteration, this paper can contribute in the research field of Korean culture while also provide a fair view regarding the cultural exports of Confucianism from ancient China.

Re-inventing Chinese Philosophy through the Method of Sublation

In this article, I will introduce and describe my current research work, which centres on re-interpreting Chinese philosophy by implementing an innovative approach suitable for transcultural philosophical comparisons. To commence this undertaking, I was compelled to address certain issues, leading me to seek a novel methodology for transcultural research. This article will begin by briefly addressing the still existing general problems of transcultural philosophical comparisons. I will then examine the recent and current landscape of research in the field of Chinese comparative philosophy, with a specific focus on emerging paradigms referred to as “post-comparative” approaches. In the latter part of this paper, building upon a concise overview of my previous research findings, I will elucidate the current stage of development of the method of sublation. Furthermore, I will provide a theoretical framework outlining the subsequent phases of investigation.

Introduction

Introduction

O živi filozofiji

O živi filozofiji

On the Triple Connections between Morality and Politics: An Inquiry of Western and Chinese Political Philosophy

Morality determines the stability of political order in three aspects: first, moral theory is the basis for justifying political order. In Chinese and Western political philosophy, scholars of different schools try to justify political order in different ways. In western political philosophy, the most important are social contract theory and utilitarianism. In Chinese political philosophy, the most typical is the Confucian theory of “benevolent government”. Secondly, whether the words and deeds of political leaders conform to the moral principles is a sign of the legitimacy of the relevant political order. It is for this reason that the Chinese political thought emphasized “rule of morality” at the beginning of its birth, especially the Confucian doctrine, which has become the official ideology in two thousand years, and developed the thought of “internal saints and external kings ” after repeated writings of several generations of Confucian scholars. Thirdly, the people within the political regime must have some civic virtues for them to maintain the political order. Of course, morality is not the whole of politics. Politics must be based on the monopoly of force to maintain stable order. Keywords: politics, morality, justification, citizenship

Sublating Anxiety: Heidegger’s Notion of Angst and Xu Fuguan’s Thesis of Youhuan yishi

This essay performs a detailed contrastive analysis of two differing concepts of anxiety: Heidegger's Angst and Xu Fuguan’s youhuan yishi, employing the method of transcultural philosophical sublation. This dialectical approach, deeply rooted in the traditional Chinese philosophy of mutual complementarity between opposing ideas, thoughtfully integrates Heidegger's notion of Sorge (care) with the Confucian principle of ren (humaneness) as complementary rather than contradictory elements. This conceptual framework highlights the critical importance of balancing personal authenticity with social responsibility, offering a unified and nuanced perspective on both individual and collective ethics, and proposes innovative strategies to effectively address the complexities of modern life.

CHINESE AND EUROPEAN LINGUISTIC TRADITIONS AS WORLDVIEW VARIATIONS

This article explores the differences between European and Chinese cognitive strategies as the basis for the "non-adaptability" of European grammatical categories to the Chinese language and the absence of "grammar" in the Chinese linguistic heritage. The analysis of linguistic elements involved in the formation and nomination of fundamental concepts of ancient and ancient Chinese philosophy identifies two distinct initial models of the world: a matter-oriented model and an energy-oriented model. This is based on the universality of the concept of "model-dependent realism" in relation to cognition. The energy-oriented picture of the world coincides with the unmanifest Principle's incomprehensibility, whereas the matter-oriented model correlates with the human mind's knowledge of the world's laws. The matter-oriented model has given rise to a methodologically reductionist approach to cognition, including language cognition. European grammar was looking for answers to the following questions: "What units exist?", "In what relations are they with each other?" and "What laws describe these relations?". When the studied languages were formed during the implementation of the same initial matter-oriented model of the world, this approach.

“Lunar New Year” by A. Parkau: cultural memory

This article considers the Russian émigré literature in China in the aspect of implementing the principles of intercultural communication and interaction between the cultures of Russia and China. Scholars began to study it in the 1990s, and currently the work of many Russian writers from Harbin and Shanghai remains unexplored. Features of the interaction of national traditions are analyzed in the poem “Lunar New Year” (Chinese New Year) by the poet of the Russian diaspora — A. Parkau, published in the poetic book Unquenchable Fire. Her artistic world still is not in the focus of the scholars. The poem “Lunar New Year,” included in the Bitter Paths cycle, is the artistic description of the Chinese holiday. Its content is determined by Chinese culture, and its artistic form is determined by the Russian poetic tradition. The article traces the connections of the poem with Chinese culture and philosophy, on the one hand, and with the contexts of the Russian poetry of the 19th century, expressed in poetic meters, on the other. The authors of the article examine the compositional and semantic principles of organizing a book of poems and come to the conclusion that the analyzed poem is included simultaneously in several cycles — calendar, reflecting the life of nature, and social, expressing the existential ideas of emigrants, expressed with the motives of loneliness, and fear of death, among others.

Formation of philosophical and legal ideas of Taoism

The article examines the philosophical trend of Taoism, which arose in ancient Chinese philosophy around the VI-V centuries BC. e. The founder of Taoism is Lao-Tzu, who formulated the system based on the principle of knowing the Tao as the only true path. The purpose of this article is to analyze the evolution of philosophical and legal concepts that arose within the framework of Taoism. The interaction between the key principles of Taoist philosophy and the legal system is highlighted, as well as the impact of this interaction on the formation of socio-cultural norms and values is evaluated.
 Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching defines the key concepts and ideas of Taoism. Attention is drawn to the important statements of Lao Tzu, which reveal the relationship between Taoism and life, morality and nature.
 The article examines the views of various scientists on the principles of Taoism. The text also analyzes the main principles of Taoism, expressed in the «Tao-De-Ching». The Tao is considered as the ruling law of all that exists, inaccessible to the senses, associated with natural chaos. The principle of «u-wei» is defined as a return to the original nature.
 Special attention is paid to the principle of non-intervention, which means a unique approach to state management. According to the opinion of one of the scientists identified in this work, the ruler, following the principles of Taoism, should not intervene by force in natural processes, but should act in accordance with the natural properties of things.
 Emphasis is placed on the fact that with the help of such principles, the state, according to the teachings of Lao Tzu, develops in its own way, without artificial intervention. Criticism of the government that uses force and artificial methods shows the ineffectiveness of such an approach from the point of view of Taoism. The article also examines the concept of the culture of law in the context of Taoism, where adherence to the principles of this teaching ensures legitimacy and legalization, the expression of the will of society, not the state. Emphasizes the perceived need for citizens to adhere to Taoist principles in order to achieve spiritual and physical self-improvement in relation to Taoism.
 Overall, the article reveals the key aspects and development of Taoism as an important philosophical direction in the ancient Chinese context.