Doctrine of the Mean
Encyclopedia
The Doctrine of the Mean , is both a concept and one of the books of Confucian teachings. The composition of the text is attributed to Zisi (or Kong Ji) the only grandson of Confucius, and it came from a chapter in the Classic of Rites
. The term is originally derived from a verse of the Analects which reads:
However, the Analects never expands on what this term means.
The Doctrine of the Mean as a text was adopted into the later Confucian Canon of the Neo-Confucian movement as compiled by Zhu Xi
, and delves into great detail the meaning of this term, as well as how to apply it to one's life.
The Doctrine of the Mean represents moderation, rectitude, objectivity, sincerity, honesty and propriety. The guiding principle is that one should never act in excess. The Doctrine of the Mean is divided into three parts:
Tsze Sze's First Thesis, as stated in "The Great Digest and Unwobbling Pivot" (1951: pp. 99) further describes their connection:
Recently in China, the Neo-Confucians revisited the Classics, because of its strong foundation in the educational system. Using the Doctrine of the Mean has become a useful source for Neo-Confucians due to the similarities in the terminology and expression used by them and found within the text. This is further reinforced by the support from ancient sages and worthies who prefer education systems more closely linked to traditional Confucian thought.
Classic of Rites
The Classic of Rites , also known as the Book of Rites, Book of Customs, the Record of Rites, was one of the Chinese Five Classics of the Confucian canon. It described the social forms, governmental system, and ancient/ceremonial rites of the Zhou Dynasty...
. The term is originally derived from a verse of the Analects which reads:
However, the Analects never expands on what this term means.
The Doctrine of the Mean as a text was adopted into the later Confucian Canon of the Neo-Confucian movement as compiled by Zhu Xi
Zhu Xi
Zhū Xī or Chu Hsi was a Song Dynasty Confucian scholar who became the leading figure of the School of Principle and the most influential rationalist Neo-Confucian in China...
, and delves into great detail the meaning of this term, as well as how to apply it to one's life.
Alternate translations
Alternate translations of the term include:- the "Constant Mean" (James, Legge)
- the "Middle Way" (Simon, Leys)
- the "Middle Use" (Arthur Waley)
- the ["Unswerving"] "Unwobbling Pivot" or "Pivot" (Ezra Pound)
- "Chung Yung" (Ezra Pound)
- "Focusing the Familiar" (Roger Ames and David Hall)
- "Centrality and Commonality" (Robert Foster)
Interpretation
The Doctrine of the Mean is a text rich with symbolism and guidance to perfecting oneself. The mean is also described as the ["unswerving pivot" = Ezra Pound] 'unwobbling pivot' or 'chung yung'. Chung means bent neither one way or another, and yung represents unchanging (The Great Digest and Unwobbling Pivot, 1951). In James Legge's translation of the text, the goal of the mean is to maintain balance and harmony from directing the mind to a state of constant equilibrium. The person who follows the mean is on a path of duty and must never leave it. A superior person is cautious, a gentle teacher and shows no contempt for their inferiors. They always do what is natural according to their status in the world. Even common men and women can carry the mean into their practices, as long as they do not exceed their natural order (Internet Sacred Text Archive, 2008).The Doctrine of the Mean represents moderation, rectitude, objectivity, sincerity, honesty and propriety. The guiding principle is that one should never act in excess. The Doctrine of the Mean is divided into three parts:
- The Axis - Confucian Metaphysics
- The Process - Politics
- The Perfect Word/Sincerity - Ethics (The Great Digest and Unwobbling Pivot, 1951).
Tsze Sze's First Thesis, as stated in "The Great Digest and Unwobbling Pivot" (1951: pp. 99) further describes their connection:
In Chinese society
In China prior to the twentieth century the Doctrine of the Mean was integrated into the education system state wide. As well, one of the prerequisites for employment in the imperial government was the study and understanding of the Four Classics, included in this is the Doctrine of the Mean. The imperial state wanted to reinforce the three bonds of society; between the parent and child, husband and wife, and ruler and subject. This was believed to emphasize a peaceful home and an orderly state.Recently in China, the Neo-Confucians revisited the Classics, because of its strong foundation in the educational system. Using the Doctrine of the Mean has become a useful source for Neo-Confucians due to the similarities in the terminology and expression used by them and found within the text. This is further reinforced by the support from ancient sages and worthies who prefer education systems more closely linked to traditional Confucian thought.
See also
- AristotleAristotleAristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
's Doctrine of the MeanNicomachean EthicsThe Nicomachean Ethics is the name normally given to Aristotle's best known work on ethics. The English version of the title derives from Greek Ἠθικὰ Νικομάχεια, transliterated Ethika Nikomacheia, which is sometimes also given in the genitive form as Ἠθικῶν Νικομαχείων, Ethikōn Nikomacheiōn...
, known as "Golden MeanGolden mean (philosophy)In philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency. For example courage, a virtue, if taken to excess would manifest as recklessness and if deficient as cowardice....
" and a central theme of Aristotelean ethics
External links
- English translation, by Charles Muller
- excerpts of the Doctrine of the Mean at ChinaknowledgeChinaknowledgeChinaknowledge, with the subtitle "a universal guide for China studies", is a hobbyist's web site that contains a wide variety of information on China and Chinese topics. It is frequently used as a citation source for facts presented elsewhere, however the site's author states, "When writing...
- English translation (by James Legge) at Nothingistic.
- Original text in Chinese with English translation at the Chinese Text ProjectChinese Text ProjectThe Chinese Text Project is a digital library project that assembles collections of early Chinese texts. The name of the project in Chinese literally means "The Digitization Project of Chinese Philosophy Books", showing its focus on books related to Chinese philosophy...
- English rendering (by Wing-Tsit Chan)