The Philosophy of
Harmony
The politics and
ethics of human beings are a direct reflection of nature
While "Harmony
of Man with Nature" and "Peace Enjoys Priority" are the
philosophies and ideals of the Chinese people since ancient times in their
pursuit of the harmony between Man and Nature and the harmony among people,
building up a harmonious society and achieving harmonious development are the
dream and aspirations of the Chinese.
“Harmony” boasts
strong Chinese characteristics, and expresses the traditional Chinese
philosophy in pursuit of a balance between man and nature, among people and
between man's body and soul. The theory that man is an integral part of nature
first originated in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States
periods (770-221BC).
The theory, as a
basic notion in Chinese philosophy, insists that the politics and ethics of
human beings are a direct reflection of nature.
"Harmony"
is rich in connotation and full of profound philosophy of great wisdom. It
advocates, first, diversity and, second, balance and "arriving at the same
destination by different routes, reaching unanimity after taking many things
into consideration;" it encourages the virtue of magnanimity, promotes the
broad and profound spirit of “great virtue carrying substance with it",
featuring tolerance, compatibility, and honesty and moderation. Gathering
different things together and making them balanced is called "harmony".
"Harmony" can generate new things, when five-tones are harmonious,
the sound is audible; when the five-colors are harmonious, they become a set of
well-designed pattern; and when five flavors are harmonious, they are edible.
When this logic is
inferred to administration, we must harmonize various kinds of interests,
synthesize different opinions and defuse complicated contradictions. If same
things are piled up together, they cannot give birth to new things and so they
cannot be full of vigor, instead, the phenomenon of "such same things that
cannot continue to exist" will emerge.
When
"harmony" is used in interpersonal relations, "magnanimity will
win over the public;" when one treats others liberally, he or she will win
others' confidence. For instance, one in a high position should treat others
with an attitude of leniency and show his courtesy.
When
"harmony" is used in politics, then there can be "logical
administration and harmonious people," historical development can be
promoted, and prosperous culture can be achieved. "Harmony" can
promote the birth of new things and new thoughts and bring about a situation
featuring the blossoming of one hundred flowers and a blaze of color.
Conversely, there can only be a situation in which ten thousand horses were muted,
and neither crow nor sparrow could be heard.
If we use
"harmony" in economy, we can promote the development of production
and prosperity of economy. At the beginning of many Chinese dynasties, the
rulers pursued a policy of allowing a period of time for recuperation and
building up of strength in order to give people an opportunity for the
restoration and development of production. This policy of "harmony"
did play a desirable role in restoring and developing production.
"Harmony"
we use in diplomacy can "make all nations live together in peace", by
doing so, we have both safeguarded our own national independence, and refrained
from practicing external expansion; we do not invade other countries, and
absolutely not allow other nations to commit aggression against our country.
This is China's
fine tradition of loving peace and promoting common development.
When
"harmony" is used in the relations between Man and Nature, then
"each of them can live in peace respectively and can accomplish something
through respective support". Humanity can develop itself only by making
rational use of and maintaining harmony with Nature, maintain and develop the
civilization itself has created, satisfy intergenerational demand, realize
intergenerational fairness and enjoy mutual growth and mutual prosperity with
Nature and develop together with Nature in a harmonious way.
The
"harmony" theory encouraged by traditional Chinese culture is very
profound. As a profound philosophy used to regulate social contradiction and to
bring which to a suitable, timely and appropriate state of harmony, harmony has
brought stability and auspiciousness to the Chinese nation.
Harmony is both an
ancient social ideal as well as our actual choice. Harmony will open up a
broader world for future humankind and provide humanity with inexhaustible
driving force for its development.