More on Yu Dan

     A story in today's LA Times about the revival of Confucianism and the irrepressible Yu Dan (whom I have blogged before here and here).  Yu has attracted a host of critics, and the Times story quotes my friend Daniel Bell:

"Chinese people live in a high-pressure society. Her message is, 'Don't worry what others think about you. It matters how you feel in your heart,' " said Daniel Bell, a professor of political philosophy at Qinghua University. "Not only is this simplifying Confucius, it is very misleading interpretation. Confucius is about social and political commitment. She provides a feel-good, apolitical version that goes against the main message of 'The Analects.' "

     Daniel is developing an argument that Yu takes more of a Taoist perspective, which distorts her view of Confucius.  That may be true.   But I wonder if this kind of "distortion" isn't actually better than the more common distortion of Confucianism: its cooptation by Legalism. 

      When you say "Confucianism," the image that is conjured up (if, indeed, anyone really thinks about it) is one of patriarchal, conservative hierarchy, backed up by draconian laws.  Fathers cannot be punished if they kill their sons, but sons can face the death penalty if they strick their fathers.  That sort of thing.  Confucius, of course, was deeply suspicious of overuse of law and punishment, which made him the laughing stock of the Legalists.  But Legalism required a virtuous face, so the formula of the Chinese empire became "Legalism on the inside, Confucianism on the outside" (rubiao, fali).    

     That, to me, is a worse distortion than an inward-looking, Taoist inflected reading of Confucius.  Indeed, with all due respect to Daniel, perhaps Yu is closer to Mencius, who tells us:

The ten thousand things are all there in me.  And there's no greater joy that looking within and finding myself faithful to them.  Treat others as you would be treated.  Devote yourself to that, for there's no more direct approach to Humanity. (13.4)

    And here's a nice photo of Yu Dan (from the Times piece):

      UPDATE: Danwei has yet more on Yu Dan. 

Comments

[Chin Lip Kee]

I am a Malaysian Chinese who is educated in English, Chinese & Malay & also very well verse with other religion as I lived in a Multi Ethnic society. Mankind is still very far from finding a workable philosophy or ideology like alone a philosophy that is applicable throughout our civilization. Most religion especially those from the MidEast like Christianity has a bloody history of continuous holy war & has no means of ruling a society & yet it is regard as holy truth that is unchangeable. Actually Europe only advance when they divorce religion from ruling that is copy from the Mongols who brought it from China. The bible has change drastically to suit their purpose yet no one complain. China need to find a reinvent itself from its philosophy.

[kamatch]

Came across Yu Dan's TV program shown 2 wks ago. Some anti-confucism attacked that Confucius treated women as 2nd class. I think we have to bear in mind that in his time, the norm of all civilisations were the same, except it was expicitly written in the Chinese Civilisation, wherelse not so explictly in the western civilisation. Even until today, there are still still many civilisation that treated women as 2nd class.

Take this away and we apply Confucius teaching to our modern Chinese culture to the next higher level. In this I salute Yu Dan for making it easy for us (me, Sporean Chinese, ex-Malaysian educated in English and Malay, pick up spoken mandarin from the street and TV)to learn about our culture.

[kamatch]

Came across Yu Dan's TV program shown 2 wks ago. Some anti-confucism attacked that Confucius treated women as 2nd class. I think we have to bear in mind that in his time, the norm of all civilisations were the same, except it was expicitly written in the Chinese Civilisation, wherelse not so explictly in the western civilisation. Even until today, there are still still many civilisation that treated women as 2nd class.

Take this away and we apply Confucius teaching to our modern Chinese culture to the next higher level. In this I salute Yu Dan for making it easy for us (me, Sporean Chinese, ex-Malaysian educated in English and Malay, pick up spoken mandarin from the street and TV)to learn about our culture.

[purple lotus]

I am a Singaporean in my late 50's. I have concentrated the last few years to private studies and nothing has excited me until the commotions of what YU DAN is capable of reached my shore.

As I look at how YU DAN projects her perspectives of lives, I could not help but rejoice that finally we have a lady of beacon, showing the way for those who are lost and caste by the wayside. It is non religious. It is just practical ideologies that we can all empathize with.

As the saying goes : "Hua Xiang bu zai duo" - YU DAN is YU DAN. Whether it is Confucius or Non-Conficius it is irrelevant. What is important is that she is able to struck the cord and applies her philosophy so very wisely. Her strength is a formidable force that the local business communities are raising eyebrows. I was told that even the politicians are taking her very seriously.

Thank you, YU DAN ! :-)

[Antonio Carlos]

Brazil

My name is Antonio Carlos I work in Newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo
Would Like know the price image in anexo writer YU DAN.
I need of photo in large resolucion for matter special.
Tkanks

[Online Education]

The teachings of Confucius, contained in his Annals, are important facets in learning Eastern Philosophy. Most of his insights on the family and social institutions remain to be relevant. I'm glad how this Chinese professor puts Confucian perspective back in the academe. Thank you!

[Aktiv Reisen]

Hello, my knowledge just reach till Confucianism and Taoism but I never have heared or read something about Yu Dan. So your blog provides new interesting information for me and I want to thank you for that!

[san diego real estate]

Your blog provides new and interesting information for me and I want to thank you for that! I'm glad how this Chinese professor puts Confucian perspective back in the academe.

[Knee ACL]

Yu Dan is great professor, I'm glad that someone appreciate her work .

[Bill]

Yu Don has always inspired me.