"The concept of utopia has long captivated thinkers across cultures, including in China, where diverse utopian visions emerged within Confucian, Daoist, and Legalist traditions. Scholars often argue that while Confucian utopias emphasized hierarchy and morality, Daoist models championed harmony with nature, whereas Legalist visions sought strict governance. However, rigid classifications overlook the fluidity of Chinese utopian thought, as thinkers often blended elements from different traditions."
"This panel challenges traditional paradigms by exploring varied Chinese utopian visions. The first paper critiques the Legalist utopia of Shang Yang and Han Feizi, highlighting its dystopian consequences. The second examines the utopian poetry of Tao Yuanming, revealing its Confucian influences. The third analyzes contemporary Confucian philosopher Zhang Xianglong's proposal for Special Districts for Confucian Culture, showing its fusion of Confucian, Daoist, and Western ideas. Together, these studies demonstrate the adaptability of Chinese utopian thought, transcending rigid intellectual boundaries to shape evolving ideals of society."
"The first paper explores Mencius' contemplative practices-restorative sleep, self-examination, and empathetic extension-as pathways to cultivating "flood-like qi," enabling noetic insights into human goodness. The second paper revisits Zhu Xi's meditative reading, comparing it with lectio divina, and argues for a more nuanced understanding of its interplay between vocal recitation and silent reflection. The third paper critiques the hierarchical distortions of gyeong/jing (敬, reverence) via Korean Confuciani"
Utopian visions in China emerged from Confucian, Daoist, and Legalist traditions while frequently blending elements across these intellectual lines. Legalist schemes associated with Shang Yang and Han Feizi produced authoritarian structures with dystopian consequences. Tao Yuanming’s poetry expresses utopian longings shaped by Confucian values. Zhang Xianglong’s proposal for Special Districts for Confucian Culture fuses Confucian, Daoist, and Western ideas to reconfigure social organization. Confucian contemplative practices include Mencius’ restorative sleep, self-examination, and empathetic extension to cultivate “flood-like qi.” Zhu Xi’s meditative reading balances vocal recitation and silent reflection. Korean Confucian critique addresses hierarchical distortions of gyeong/jing.
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