Self-cultivation with theDao
Because Confucians believe that the way of humanity (rendao)
corresponds with the way of heaven (tiendao), it is one’s obligation
to cultivate oneself with theDao. Therefore, one must learnrendao
with diligence and practice it with effort. When conduct deviates from
the principle ofrendao, one should feel shame.
Since the examination system for the Civil Service was abolished
during the Qing dynasty in 1905, Confucian classics have been
replaced by Western science and knowledge as the major subjects of
education in schools. As a consequence, many Chinese youths may
transfer their enthusiasm for pursuing metaphysicalDaoto a parti-
cular system of knowledge about the physical world, and learn a
particular technology, science, or social science by the traditional
practice of self-cultivation. This is a way by which the Confucian
cultural tradition may possibly contribute to the modernization of
East Asian societies.
Benefiting the world with theDao: ethics for scholars
In addition to theren-yi-liethical system for ordinary people, Confu-
cianism confers upon intellectuals (scholars) a mission to benefit the
world by theDaowith which they have identified. The larger the
group one has benefited, the greater the moral merit one attains. This
can be termed ‘‘ethics for scholars.’’
When a Chinese society is transformed from an agricultural into
an industrial/commercial one, Confucian ethics for scholars may
encourage intellectuals to identify a particular system of knowledge
originating from the West as theirDao(way), to work in a firm or a
governmental institution, and to utilize their knowledge, which may
eventually benefit that firm or the whole of society.
Struggle between Confucianism and Legalism in
Chinese society
As discussed earlier in this chapter, Legalism is essentially an organi-
zational theory formulated in the authoritarian culture of Ancient
China. It has been used by many rulers in Chinese history to consoli-
date their power, but it can also be used by managers of organizations
126 Kwang-kuo Hwang