Theory of the Framework System of Traditional Chinese Literary Theory (ePub)

Chinese and Western cultures are heterogeneous: while the West concentrates on the "e;plastic and formative"e;, the East focuses on developing virtue and benevolence and "e;holding fast the Mean"e;. What does "e;plastic and formative"e; mean? In Philosophy of History Hegel defined Greek Spirit as plastic and formative, the plastic artist forming the stone into a work of art, which is subjective, objective and political. What does "e;virtue and benevolence"e; mean? It is the framework of Chinese culture as stated in Shang Shu: Counsels of the Great Yu: the rectification of (the people's) virtue, (the tools and other things) that supply the conveniences of life, and the securing abundant means of sustentation (Pangu opened up heaven and earth, his body turned into the rocks, rivers and the earth, etc.; Yu the Great was so occupied by the task of controlling the water he passed by his own family's doorstep three times without returning. "e;Rectification of virtue"e; serves as the framework, subsuming "e;supplying the conveniences of life"e; and "e;securing abundant means of sustentation"e;. The three are interrelated and called "e;virtue and benevolence"e;. The former is extrovert, material-oriented and based on the law of casualty. Its science, philosophy and art are often created with logic, mathematics and physics, and reflect the "e;logic structure"e;; the latter is introvert, mind-oriented, and holds that "e;The mind of man is restless, prone (to err); its affinity to what is right is small. Be discriminating, be uniform (in the pursuit of what is right), that you may sincerely hold fast the Mean"e;. In practice, it is formed by the axis of virtue and benevolence and four principles proposed by Mencius, that is benevolence, righteousness, propriety and righteousness. "e;Virtue and benevolence"e; serves as the framework, subsuming "e;benevolence, righteousness, propriety and righteousness"e; (by the same token, benevolence, righteousness, propriety and righteousness are the framework subsuming other things. Together a network is formed. Hence the theory of framework system. As Chinese thinking lacks the elements of logic, mathematics and physics, the "e;logic structure"e; is nonexistent. Its culture only takes the form of framework systems.