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How Does a Historical System of Meaning Weigh on the Present? Social Representations of Confucianism and Their Role in Young Chinese Lives in the People’s Republic of China

Author

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  • Tian Xie
  • Jue Zhou
  • James H. Liu
  • Can-can Liao

Abstract

The present study focuses on a new type of social representation: the historical system of meaning embodied by the philosophy and lifeways of Confucianism. Eighteen young and educated Chinese were interviewed face-to-face. Thematic analyses of their transcripts showed that Confucianism representations contained two subthemes, figures (Confucius and Mencius) and thoughts (e.g., propriety and benevolence, etc.). These representations were transmitted by formal education from school and informal education from family, and the influence of Confucianism was often implicit, as evidenced by two subthemes: self-cultivation and social norms. The analyses also showed that almost everything mentioned about Confucianism was more than 2,000 years old and more recent developments were ignored. These results provide insight into how a historically central system of meaning is represented today, when it has lost its institutional bases. It is argued that the social representation of Confucianism is fragmented rather than hegemonic and lacks the systematic coherence that characterises a historical charter. Contributions to social representations theory and implications for how Confucianism could function in the modern world are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tian Xie & Jue Zhou & James H. Liu & Can-can Liao, 2021. "How Does a Historical System of Meaning Weigh on the Present? Social Representations of Confucianism and Their Role in Young Chinese Lives in the People’s Republic of China," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 33(1), pages 73-102, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:psydev:v:33:y:2021:i:1:p:73-102
    DOI: 10.1177/0971333621990452
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pi-Chi Han, 2013. "Confucian Leadership and the Rising Chinese Economy," Chinese Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(2), pages 107-127, March.
    2. Po Ip, 2009. "Is Confucianism Good for Business Ethics in China?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 88(3), pages 463-476, September.
    3. Cynthia Ho & Kylie Redfern, 2010. "Consideration of the Role of Guanxi in the Ethical Judgments of Chinese Managers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 96(2), pages 207-221, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. James H. Liu, 2021. "Introduction to Confucian Psychology: Background, Content, and an Agenda for the Future," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 33(1), pages 7-26, March.
    2. Dharm P. S. Bhawuk, 2021. "Building Cultural Bridges Between China and India," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 33(1), pages 103-120, March.
    3. Sheehan, Helen, 2023. "Bring your support team with you: The role of family and friends in supporting the motivation of international secondary students," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).

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