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On this topic, I am about halfway through a great book written in the 1930s that tries to explain to Westerners the Chinese way of life/thought/relationships/mo
by kridsdale3 3y ago
On this topic, I am about halfway through a great book written in the 1930s that tries to explain to Westerners the Chinese way of life/thought/relationships/morals that seem well, foreign.
It was actually written to explain Western culture to Chinese readers, but it's just as good the other way.
"From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society"
https://www.amazon.com/Soil-Foundations-Chinese-Society/dp/0520077962 https://www.amazon.com/Soil-Foundations-Chinese-Society/dp/0...
- georgeplusplus 3y agoSounds interesting. What are your thoughts and impressions so far?
- SkyMarshal 3y agoI wonder how much pre-CCP Chinese culture has been distorted since the CCP took over and implemented the Cultural Revolution and its more might-makes-right philosophy, and how much of that book still applies? Some does I’m sure, but is all of it still accurate?
- woooooo 3y agoAgain, it cuts both ways. How much will westerners willingly misunderstand because it intersects with the ideological conflict? Why aren't we asking questions about western colonialism's impact on the culture? Too awkward? It's a culture of 1.5 billion people presently, over a few thousand years. Probably "fewer generations separated from subsistence farming" is more influential than anything ideological.
- slimebot80 3y agoTo claim it's a single culture of 1.5 billion is really interesting. China is many countries and cultures in one, but ruled by a certain class. Any outward disrespect China may feel could be seen as a handy distraction from problems of keeping 1.5 billion people the "same".
- woooooo 3y agoOk, mostly one culture. Yes there are Mongols, uyghurs, etc but they're a pretty small % even added all together.