What are the differences between Chinese and Western cultures?

Differences between Chinese and Western cultures (1) In terms of way of thinking, Westerners focus on rational analysis of evidence, analyzing the whole and then synthesizing it; Chinese people focus on intuition, integrity, and experience. In the eyes of Western philosophers, only speculative things are the most real, perfect and beautiful. Since ancient Greece, natural scientists and philosophers have regarded abstract thinking and logical thinking as the most basic means of understanding and grasping the truth of things, and regard "analysis" or "logic" as a tool for all sciences. With the development of modern science, this empirical analysis thinking method has further developed, and logical thinking and empirical analysis have become the thinking styles and methods of Westerners. This way of thinking promoted the development of Western science. The traditional Chinese way of thinking is not through inductive reasoning and deductive deduction, but based on facts and relying on existing experience and knowledge to identify, understand and make overall judgments about the nature and regularity of objective things. Connected with the intuitive way of thinking, the Chinese way of understanding the world is "experience" rather than "cognition". Lao Tzu pioneered the theory of "Ti Dao". "Tao of body" is to grasp the fundamental way of the universe through spiritual experience. Confucianism experiences the object of knowledge as a whole body of ethical emotions externalized by human self-consciousness, and seeks confirmation of the subject's ethics and value norms. Chinese history lacked empirical scientific exploration and was constrained by feudal and conservative ideas. (2) From the perspective of value orientation, Westerners pay attention to self-centeredness, individuality, and competition; Chinese people pay attention to groups, society, and harmony. Western values ??believe that the individual is the basis of human society. Each person's way of survival and quality of life depend on his or her own abilities. Only the individual has the social whole, and the individual is higher than the social whole. Therefore, they are not used to caring about others, helping others, not asking about other people's affairs, and even regard taking the initiative to help others or accepting help from others as embarrassing things. They think that accepting help from others is proof of their own incompetence, while taking the initiative to help others will It is considered to be interfering in other people's private affairs. They advocate that everyone should express their own personality. The more they express their own personality, the more they can reflect the value of life. Therefore, people have a strong sense of competition and rely on competition to gain their own interests and realize their own value. In ancient China, the struggle between those who are side by side was called "competition", and the struggle between those who were opposite was called "competition". Later, people combined these two words together, which means competing to capture. However, in ancient China, "competition" and "contention" were generally regarded as bad things, and "tolerance" and "giving in" were advocated, lacking respect and yearning for fair competition. Confucianism emphasizes the hierarchical process of "respecting the elder and the younger", while Taoism emphasizes "doing nothing, not fighting, being like water, and fighting for women". Confucianism and Taoism are complementary, coupled with the ignorance and cruelty of imperial power, in the Chinese people's ideology The concept of "competition" is relatively lacking. Chinese people's values ??emphasize group consciousness and social consciousness. Individual interests should be subordinated to the overall interests of society. Only when the entire society develops can a large individual obtain the greatest benefits. In a group, when one person achieves something, it is regarded as the achievement of the group, and the group feels honored. Chinese culture advocates a noble and selfless devotion. Taking the initiative to care about others and showing care to others is a virtue. However, the individual's sense of competition and struggle is not strong, and there is a kind of dependence. (3) From an ethical point of view, Westerners value personal indulgence, innovation and development, and publicity of honor; Chinese people value modesty, prudence, and impartiality. Westerners advocate personal struggle and are especially proud of personal achievements. They never hide their self-confidence, sense of honor and ecstasy after achieving achievements; Western culture encourages individuals to pioneer and innovate, do something that has never been done before, and be outstanding. career; Westerners have a relatively indifferent concept of family. Once children get married, they must be financially independent, and parents are no longer obliged to support their children. This approach provides young people with maximum freedom and cultivates their ability to live independently, but the family relationship is relatively distant. Chinese culture does not advocate showing off personal honor when individuals achieve achievements, but advocates modesty and prudence, and opposes "the king's wife sells her melons and boasts herself". In the eyes of Westerners, this kind of modesty not only denies oneself, but also denies the appreciation of the praiser. It does not work in capitalist market competition. In terms of interpersonal relationships, traditional Chinese culture requires people to be impartial, follow the golden mean, worry about the dangers of innovation, always look forward and backward, weigh left and right, like to be content with everything, maintain the status quo, and maintain harmony. When it comes to family, I like everyone to be reunited. The elderly help take care of their children and grandchildren in preparation for their retirement. Family members rely on each other and help each other. Although family relationships are closer, this lifestyle is not conducive to the development of young people's independent abilities. (4) From the perspective of behavioral norms, Westerners "value profits" and "value the law" while Chinese people "value righteousness" and "value feelings". In Western society, due to the emphasis on personal rights as the basis and the pursuit of self-interest as the goal, the friendship between people is not valued. Only by relying on the law can conflicts between people be resolved. Law can not only protect individual rights, but also sanction violations of human rights. Therefore, the development of the rule of law in Western countries is closely related to people's rights and values. Influenced by the traditional thinking of justice and benefit, Chinese people value justice over profit and love over law. Confucius said in "The Analects": "A gentleman is likened to righteousness, and a villain is likened to benefit." Treat righteousness as the highest criterion. Confucianism emphasizes that righteousness cannot be driven away by profit.

Because since ancient times, people's behavioral norms and society have been mainly restrained by morality rather than by law, so people's legal awareness is relatively weak. (5) From the perspective of social relations, Westerners have a stronger sense of equality, while Chinese people have a stronger sense of hierarchy. The Western consciousness of equality emphasizes equality above personal competition. No matter rich or poor, everyone respects themselves and does not allow others to infringe on their rights, while fully respecting others. Few people are proud of their family background, and few are ashamed of their poor background. They believe that as long as they work hard, they will be successful.