Asian values: Is the Doctrine of the Mean still useful in modern society?

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Editor’s note: The article is based on an interview with Yang Jianfei, a research fellow from Culture Development Institute at Communication University of China, and Dr. David Bartosch from the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

The Doctrine of the Mean is one of the many philosophies of Confucius that have influenced Chinese culture for centuries. According to Yang Jianfei, a research fellow from the Culture Development Institute at the Communication University of China, the influence is still strong among most Chinese people.

Yang says many Chinese follow the Doctrine of the Mean as it emphasizes harmony and balance.

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Such a principle is also believed to be behind China’s diplomatic strategy. Yang maintains that the philosophy has many applications in China’s foreign affairs.

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence proposed by former Premier Zhou Enlai in 1950s, Yang holds, is the perfect example of the Doctrine of the Mean, which strikes a balance in different diplomatic relations.

Yang also points out China’s diplomacy is still upholding the Doctrine of the Mean as it tries to maintain good relations with each country in the world.

In the Greek Philosophy, there is something similar to the Doctrine of the Mean called the Golden Mean. Dr. David Bartosch from the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University said although there are some touching points between the two, they are different on the concept of “the middle”.

Bartosch stresses that the idea of “the middle” in the Golden Mean is a geometric one like the center of a circle. But for the Chinese philosophy, Bartosch says “the middle” is movable.

He notes that the middle way approach can vary according to certain situations. “Sometimes you tolerate, other times you fight back,” said Bartosch.

Bartosch said some European countries such as Germany start to learn more of the Doctrine of the Mean as he maintains it is a vital expression of general truth.