Ren Leadership: an Interpretive Biography of Bai Fangli
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University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2009 Ren Leadership: An Interpretive Biography of Bai Fangli Jin Zhou The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Zhou, Jin, "Ren Leadership: An Interpretive Biography of Bai Fangli" (2009). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 1300. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/1300 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. REN LEADERSHIP: AN INTERPRETIVE BIOGRAPHY OF BAI FANGLI By Jin Zhou B.A., The University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 2002 M.Ed., The University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 2003 M.P.A., The University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 2004 Dissertation Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education The University of Montana Missoula, MT June 2009 Approved by: Perry Brown, Associate Provost for Graduate Education Graduate School William P. McCaw, Chair Department of Educational Leadership Roberta D. Evans Department of Educational Leadership Rhea Ashmore Department of Curriculum and Instruction John Matt Department of Educational Leadership Zhen Cao Department of Modern & Classical Languages and Literatures Zhou, Jin, Ed. D., Spring 2009 Educational Leadership Ren Leadership: An Interpretive Biography of Bai Fangli Chairman: William P. McCaw, Ed. D. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive biographical study was to enhance our understanding of leadership by exploring the life of Bai Fangli through the lens of Confucian virtues. This study followed Denzin’s (1989a) qualitative design of interpretive biography by exploring Bai’s epiphanies to offer multiple perspectives on the significance of the epiphanies and their impact on Bai’s life and his influence as a modern Chinese leader. This study was guided by the central question: What is the essence of the life and leadership of Bai Fangli as explored through the lens of Confucian virtues? In order to answer this study’s central question, Denzin’s data analysis procedures were applied for this study. Incorporating Denzin’s data analysis procedures, this study applied three phases of data analysis: (a) document analysis, (b) interview analysis, and (c) combined the analysis of the documents and interviews. Data from documents were gathered from 91 online newspaper articles, 43 photographs, and 8 videoclips. Interview data were gathered during open-ended interviews with 12 purposefully selected participants. An internet-based audio video system, emails, and phone were utilized in this study. Four themes and seven sub virtue themes were combined from these documents and interviews. The lens of Confucian virtues was articulated based on seven sub virtue themes and how they are aligned with the literature review. Bai Fangli’s interpretive biography was then reconstructed and the major themes that have shaped his life were identified. This study enhances our understanding of leadership by articulating Ren Leadership, a universal leadership. Since Bai’s actions demonstrated both Eastern virtues of benevolence and great love [ ren ai ], righteousness [ yi ], rituals [li ], wisdom [ zhi ], trustworthiness [ xin ], fortitude [ yong ], and frugality [ jian ] and Western virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, the second finding recognized that moral leadership is applicable to both Eastern and Western world views. The third finding describes an example of a moral leader in China who blended both Eastern and Western virtues. Finally, this study revealed the feasibility of the return of the traditional Confucian virtues in contemporary China. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Writing this dissertation has been the most arduous, magnificent, and unforgettable time in my life. During this period, many people enlightened and helped me in many ways. I would like to express my deepest gratitude and thankfulness to the following individuals: First and foremost is the inspiration and support given to me by my parents. Their constant support and encouragement motivated me to fulfill this research journey with passion and enjoyment. Without them, this research journey would have been more difficult. Special thanks to my Dissertation Committee Chair, Professor Bill McCaw for his guidance, direction, encouragement, and positive affirmations. His rigorous research attitude and meticulous working style deeply influenced me. During this research process, Dr. McCaw constantly opened my mind and elevated my research capabilities. Many thanks to my Dissertation Committee members: Dean Bobbie Evans for her encouragement and critical support. Her encouragement increases my confidence. Dr. Rhea Ashmore for her kind and patient guidance. Dr. Merle Farrier for his guidance and direction. Dr. Zhen Cao for his support, interest, and guidance. Dr. John Matt for his time and commitment. Many thanks to my interviewees: Bai Guofu, Bai Jinfeng, Xu Xiuqin, Bai Song, Bai Huanyi, Bai Guoran, Bai Xiqian, Li Li, Li Jialun, Sun Yuying, Xu Qiming, and Chen Zhaoxiang for their information, support, and motivation. And lastly, my deep appreciation to William Wang for his constant support, guidance, and encouragement. June 2, 2009 Missoula, Montana iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY ....................................................1 Statement of the Problem .........................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................7 Research Questions ..................................................................................................7 Definitions of Terms ................................................................................................8 Delimitations of the Study .....................................................................................14 Limitations of the Study.........................................................................................15 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................15 Summary ................................................................................................................16 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .....................................................18 Introduction ............................................................................................................18 Contemporary Chinese Issues Related to the Loss of Confucian Moral Values ..........................................................................................................19 The Symptoms of the Moral Belief Crisis .................................................20 The Loss of Moral Ideals, Goals and Ethics ..................................20 The Loss of Moral Emotions .........................................................20 The Distortion of Moral Motivation ..............................................21 The Origins of the Moral Belief Crisis ......................................................22 Official Corruption.....................................................................................23 Fake and Shoddy Goods ............................................................................24 Reversing the Nature of Good and Evil .....................................................25 Contemporary Chinese Issues Calling for Confucian Moral Values ..........................................................................................................26 Governmental Officials Calling for the Traditional Confucian Moral Values ..............................................................................................27 Scholars Calling for the Traditional Confucian Moral Values ..................28 Confucianism, Taoism, & Buddhism.....................................................................29 Historical Review of Confucianism, Taoism, & Buddhism ......................29 Neo-Confucianism .........................................................................30 Confucius (551-479 BCE) .............................................................32 Mencius (370-290 BC) ..................................................................33 Taoism........................................................................................................34 Laozi (604-471 BCE) .....................................................................34 Buddhism ...................................................................................................35 Buddha (563-483 BCE) .................................................................36 Eastern and Western Virtues ..................................................................................38 Eastern Virtues ...........................................................................................38 Benevolence ( Ren ) ........................................................................38 Righteousness ( Yi ) ........................................................................39 Propriety