OLYMPICS /
Cultural Olympics
The Philosophy of Harmony
Chinaculture.org
Updated: 2008-08-09 13:36
If we use "harmony" in economy, we can promote the development of production and prosperity of economy. At the beginning of many Chinese dynasties, the rulers pursued a policy of allowing a period of time for recuperation and building up of strength in order to give people an opportunity for the restoration and development of production. This policy of "harmony" did play a desirable role in restoring and developing production.
"Harmony" we use in diplomacy can "make all nations live together in peace", by doing so, we have both safeguarded our own national independence, and refrained from practicing external expansion; we do not invade other countries, and absolutely not allow other nations to commit aggression against our country. This is China's fine tradition of loving peace and promoting common development.
When "harmony" is used in the relations between Man and Nature, then "each of them can live in peace respectively and can accomplish something through respective support". Humanity can develop itself only by making rational use of and maintaining harmony with Nature, maintain and develop the civilization itself has created, satisfy intergenerational demand, realize intergenerational fairness and enjoy mutual growth and mutual prosperity with Nature and develop together with Nature in a harmonious way.
The "harmony" theory encouraged by traditional Chinese culture is very profound. As a profound philosophy used to regulate social contradiction and to bring which to a suitable, timely and appropriate state of harmony, harmony has brought stability and auspiciousness to the Chinese nation.
Harmony is both an ancient social ideal as well as our actual choice. Harmony will open up a broader world for future humankind and provide humanity with inexhaustible driving force for its development.