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A Philosophical Guideline and Method for Conflict Resolution

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A Philosophical Guideline and Method for Conflict Resolution CONFUCIANISM: A PHILOSOPHICAL GUIDELINE AND METHOD FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION ANSHU SUBEDI Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal E-mail: [email protected] Abstract - The paper intends to acknowledge Confucianism stressing on the basic principles of Confucianism, more specifically the ideas, information and examples relevant in the context of conflict. Confucianism being deeply entrenched and rooted in the Chinese culture, has come up to be the preliminary and important aspect of Chinese culture. Realizing the contributions and relevance of Confucianism in the context of conflict prevention, conflict management as well as conflict resolution, the paper attempts to conceptualize and present Confucianism as an important instrument to prevent, resolve and mitigate conflict. I. INTRODUCTION (difference or divergence) are used in Chinese language to represent conflict. Confucius was a well renowned Chinese social Conflict takes place when there is disagreement philosopher, spiritual leader, psychologist, as well as among the two people or two parties. The teachings a transmitter of Confucianism. Often regarded a of Confucius can be applicable in conflict philosophy following its religious, cosmic, moral, management and attaining relationship goals. These humane and spiritual aspects as well as ruling teachings can be outlined in the four key principles: ideology in China during the Han dynasty, Confucianism (Rujiao) incorporates a wider set of Social stability is based on hierarchical relationships: ideas, values and beliefs as well as The five relationships include ruler/ruled, procedures/practices relevant in contemporary China. father/son, elder brother/younger brother, It has evolved and is recognized at different levels husband/wife and older friend/younger friend. from The various discourses on Confucianism The junior owns a senior respect and obedience, included terms like: “goodness or humanity (ren)”, the senior owns the junior consideration and “righteousness (yi), reciprocity or altruism (shu) protection ,ritual propriety (li),wisdom (zhi),and Collectivism is the basis for all social organizations: faithfulness(xin) which have special meanings and The principle of collectivism is also found in significance in conflict resolution. Similar is the Confucian approaches to learning and knowledge concept of culturalism. creation. Truth is found in the self, but along Confucius was born in 551 BCE into the troubled with good character tracts learned from the times of war, intrigue and great economic and social collective. changes, his life and teachings need to be understood Treat others as one would like to be treated in the light of them. (Rainey, 2010). A doctrine may oneself be supposed to follow a natural way like Taoism, or Success with regard to ones tasks in life requires to satisfy the demand of some exogenous existence effortful and pragmatic acquisition of skills and like religion, or to optimally achieve like religion or knowledge, thrift patience and preservation. to optimally achieve a national goal like socialism, or (Walter,2014) to satisfy individual requirements under legal control The most important approach of conflict resolution like capitalism or to maximize the happiness (or the widely accepted and used in China is “avoidance” welfare) of the people like Confucianism (Zhang, approach in which the two parties forbid themselves 2000). Confucianism advocated a harmonious society from adopting confrontational style which varies not through equalization but the harmonization of greatly in higher context and lower context cultures. human differences (ibid). The people of high context cultures tend to adopt a The literal translation of “conflict” is mao-dun, where non-confrontational and indirect attitude towards mao represents spear and dun as shield. Originally, a conflict and tend to use an affective intuitive style of weapon maker was promoting a spear which was conflict management. (Chen, 1998). In contrast, the capable of penetrating any shield. He then put down people of low-context cultures tend to be more the spear, picked up a shield and claimed the shield involved in a conflict when their personal normative was impenetrable by any spear. More specifically, the expectations are violated , tend to adopt a original meaning of conflict was ‘logically confrontational and direct attitude towards conflicts, incompatible’ or ‘mutually opposed’. (Locke, 2007). and tend to use a factual-inductive style of conflict Similarly, other terms like jiu fen (meaning dispute), management (ibid)).Moreover, Chen attempts to wen ti (problem), chong tu (clash), or feng qi analyze the western and Chinese notion of thinking Proceedings of 54th Research World International Conference, Beijing, China, 29th -30th August 2018 15 Confucianism: A Philosophical Guideline and Method for Conflict Resolution with former being categorical and analytical whereas dogmatism and flexibility (creating new conflicts and the latter being encompassing and integrative to intensify older ones) and of exclusiveness and search for a middle way in relation to conflict inclusiveness (flexible and inclusive attitudes often resolution. reduce and modify them, adding current problems while keeping a balance between conflict and reconciliation) (ibid). IV. CONFUCIANISM AND HARMONY The concept of conflict can be linked to the concept of ying and yang. The two forces represent a perfect blend of “opposite yet complementary” relationship beyond their extreme nature. Typically, this can be conceptualized as promoting and creating harmony with humans in the center in the ‘self’ as well the (Figure 1: Understanding paradox: Linking East and West) surrounding environment. More specifically, the (Chen, 1998) concept of “ren” highlights harmony which is a preliminary and central theme of Confucianism. II. MODELS/IDEAS OF CONFUCIANISM The Chinese “he”,is translated as “harmony” and “renji hexie” as interpersonal harmony. Harmony is The fundamental principles and ideas of essential at all levels of a functioning society. Confucianism consists of the following: According to Leung and others, “harmony is defined Ren: The ultimate foundation of Confucianism, it as the glue that links members to the social refers to benevolence, goodness, human- world”.(Locke, 2007). Confucius emphasized “he”, heartedness, compassion, pity, love, virtues and but believed that it should be pursued for its own sake others. It is also referred as the primary principle not for self-gain or at the expense of more important of human action and a principle of moral values such as “ren”, humaneness or “yi”, justification. righteousness (ibid). Zhong and shu: Zhong and shu are the implementation of ren. V. CONFUCIANISM AND MEDIATION Yi: it means rectitude, duty, obligation, righteousness and the motives for action. The The involvement of third party can provide objective superior man is motivated by righteousness, the fact-finding, encourage hidden interests or beliefs to inferior by profit. surface, clarify misperception and Li: it means rite, ceremony, decorum, miscommunication, and propose compromises. deportment, politeness, good manners, propriety (Rummel, 1983). Even the mutual acceptance of the or civility. third party and the process of clarifying the issue; the Xiao: xiao means filial piety. It is an attitude of first and the second step towards conflict resolution. respect and concern towards parents and (ibid). superiors. Through Ren, Zhong, and Shu society will have The theory and practice of mediation was practiced as equity, justice, respect, love, pity, compassion, dispute resolution mechanism in traditional China. kindness, and charity resulting to peace, Confucians value social harmony and litigation was tranquility, and progress. (Babor, 2011). considered to be a negative social phenomenon because it exacerbates, ruptures and poisons social relationships beyond the point of repair. (Bell & III. CONFUCIUS PERSPECTIVE ON Chaibang, 2003 ). Litigation was also viewed with CONFLICT AND WAR disdain because the pursuit of material self -interests Confucius has recognized the inevitable nature of that underlines civil litigation was perceived to be conflict. In this connection, Confucius provides inconsistent with the Confucian valuation of self - valuable insights regarding war and conflict, cultivation over selfish interests. (Ibid). basically, pacifism, realism and just war theory as Confucianism offered a humane rule on the basis of well as solutions for them. On the one hand, moral suasion. (Bell and Chaibang, 2003). Moral Confucius oppose war because they believe that war suasion, especially when applied via the subtle brings about nothing but suffering, injuries, social indoctrinating influence of cultural norms, can be an injustice and disorder. On the other hand, they permit effective means of governance. Throughout various or justify certain kinds of military engagement as a dynasties, China’s imperial authorities had indeed means of preventing chaos, liberating the people from appealed to the virtues of subordination and pacifism- tyranny and restoring justice. (Yao, 2004). Therefore, the twin pillars of Confucianism- in suppressing the Confucian way is characterized by the coexistence of “subsistence ethic”. (Ma &Kung, 2012). Proceedings of 54th Research World International Conference, Beijing, China, 29th -30th August 2018 16 Confucianism: A Philosophical Guideline and Method for Conflict Resolution
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