Hierarchical rituals for egalitarian societies
pp. 173-193
in: David Solomon, Ruiping Fan, Pingcheung Lo (eds), Ritual and the moral life, Berlin, Springer, 2012Abstract
This chapter will explore what possible role traditional, hierarchical Confucian rituals can play in contemporary, egalitarian societies. This chapter also explores the importance that ritual plays in Chinese and East Asian political thought as opposed to the emphasis in modern, western political thought on the role of coercive legal and political force. Moreover, those who seek political reforms in China may by placing an excessive focus on legal mechanisms, further undermining the sense of community that makes the powerful care for the interests of the vulnerable. Since rituals are already deeply embedded in the philosophical outlooks and everyday social practices in East Asian societies, it is not far-fetched to believe that social reformers can and should be more attentive to the positive function of rituals in China and elsewhere.