Chinese classics offer ways to tackle modern challenges

Editor's note: The Second World Conference of Classics was held in Athens earlier this month. Chen Yun, a professor of philosophy at East China Normal University, who attended the conference, spoke to China News Service about why China's classics should be included in global classical studies. Below are excerpts of the interview and an analysis of the practical application. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

From the perspective of Chinese classical studies, peace signifies not merely stability within human communities, but also harmony and balance between human society and nature. Stability within human society is based on respect for political, social, ethical and civilizational differences. In addition, it demands an integrative consciousness to transcend such divisions and achieve tai he, where all the people and all things coexist in supreme harmony.

The contemporary world order often reflects a "law of the jungle" mindset, where might makes right, conflating human society with the animal kingdom. Such thinking amounts to a negation of civilization.

In contrast, the Chinese concept of tianxia weigong, or pursuing the common good for all under heaven, from the classic The Book of Rites, represents an ideal vision for the world order. Tianxia, or "all under heaven", transcends political boundaries to encompass a civilizational domain, integrating individuals and societies into a community of humanity.

In real life, it is necessary to cultivate individuals who are capable of bearing the responsibility for all under heaven, and encourage them to break free from serving narrow group interests and commit themselves to the shared interests of all humanity.

Confronted with the current world order and its multiple challenges, we must mobilize both political and nonpolitical forces to forge a humanitarianism suited to the age of globalization, and improve global governance through diverse approaches.

Fairness, justice and equality are long-existing pursuits of Chinese philosophers from ancient times to today. The political principle of serving the public is deeply embedded in the concept of "pursuing the common good for all under heaven", which is in drastic contrast to the concept of "pursuing good for the small interest group".

Behind political concepts such as being people-oriented, selection of the capable and the rule of virtue lies the concept of "pursuing the common good for all under heaven". This has become a central feature of the traditional Chinese political value system.

The pursuit of the common good is the prerequisite for achieving fairness, and only by prioritizing public welfare, can social fairness be realized.

These values underpin China's role as a steadfast promoter of world peace and shared development.

The pursuit of common good for all under heaven carries the core wisdom of Chinese civilization. Deeply rooted in the fertile soil of Chinese culture, it has not only become an important ideological resource for the development of Chinese society, but also provides Chinese solutions for the future of humanity.