Discuss the impact of Chinese cultural diversity on the larger issues of economics, politics, religion, family, and the arts.
The most mesmerizing thing about Chinese culture is its diverse history and heritage. The country has fifty- six official nationalities led by the Han-Chinese nationality, the majority with 90% of the nation. The other nationalities include the Zhuang, Yi, Tibetans and the Mongols. According to (Smith, 2013) the smaller nationalities have millions of people who live in various parts of China. The unification of the citizens has pushed the achievement of the country’s goal. This goal leads to the country’s success and failures in politics, religion, art, economics, and family.
The country has various principles, ideas, and perspectives associated with ethnic diversity. Cultural diversity affected the nation’s civilisation when they could not agree, so they created perspectives to look at situations differently. Through diversity, the Qin dynasty was established and created a centralized state that continued till the end of the dynasty era (Smith, 2013). The Chinese adopted the communist government with a standardized politics and government structure, which greatly impacted the economy. The government restricted labour mobility, and the citizens could not share their skills thus making some parts of the nation grow economically while others didn’t.
Chinese culture strictly follows the beliefs and teachings of Confucius regardless of diversity in ethnicity (Thyer, 2010). The Confucius belief plays a big role in their culture contributing to how they view, political and social responsibility and family values represented by works of art. The belief further explains the idea of perfectibility through continuous self-improvement, having the humanity of others and respecting the government. Several examples can be used to show this in various forms of culture from the East. In the movies and television, we see that the rulers and the elders are most respected (Thyer, 2010). Despite having diverse Chinese martial arts, the community is brought together regarding respect, meaning they are all the same.
Discuss the ethical sense of Confucianism regarding its emphasis on social responsibility, its rational approach to human problems such as governing, and its belief that society and individuals are perfectible.
Despite having diversified ethnically, China was uniform in following aspects of the teachings of Confucius. Confucius lived in the period when the Zhou dynasty was in power, but in that period the dynasty did not have a lot of Power. Confucius wanted to create a centralized government but later abandoned it, and his plan was never seen since he was still alive (Thyer, 2010). Confucianism, a uniform way of thinking, was found by the Chinese through his principles and teachings.
However, Confucianism focused mostly on the codes of ethics accounting for the aspect of heaven in the teachings and not more spiritual. Confucianism was more humanistic and humans are not only able to be perfectible but also have the ability to make choices, including ethical ones. Humans should maintain themselves, show an excellent example to those around them and show respect to the gods (Thyer, 2010). The Confucius ethics had five virtues to be followed by humans including Ren (humanness),(Li( proper rite), Xin (integrity)and Zhi (knowledge).
Leading by example and considering the government, the believer expects those in power and government to show good morals to their citizens. The belief goes on to explain that heaven allows the emperor to rule over the earth, thus linking the heavens and earth. The belief is the mandate of heaven; it believes that when the ruler is overthrown the mandate of leading is taken away (Smith, 2013). It explained that if the government was not a moral example to the people, they should be removed from the positions they hold in power. This showed that those in power are not worthy to be the choice of the heaven aspect. This aspect was important since it almost gave the citizens power to their rulers who displayed the example they should show to the people.
Moreover, Confucianism focused on humanism to maintain good codes of ethics. Humanism is important in societies and when people desire to improve and maintain a code of ethics. the individual is on the road to perfection when she wants to be better, is improving with each generation and maintains their morality. The Confucian concepts were guidelines and principles that help to maintain you. The philosopher believed in much inhumanity and realized that the heavens had laid paths for people to use to heaven and that only a person could choose the road to heaven through the bad or good.
Work Cited
Smith, R. (2013). Mapping China and Managing the World (pp. 89-111). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.
Thyer, B. A. (2010). Cultural diversity and social work practice. Springfield: Charles C Thomas
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