Abstract

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Keywords:: wulun; liulun and wuyuan; neo-wulun; moral reconstruction

Abstract:: In traditional Chinese society, the notion of wulun五伦(literally five relationships)was a system of ethical norms governing the basic interpersonal relationships since the Western Han Dynasty and played an essential part in maintaining the ethical standard of Chinese nation. Since China’s entry into its modern times, wulun has gradually lost its social function due to the enormous impact exerted by the modern Western culture. After China implemented its reform and opening-up policy in 1978, many Chinese academics have proposed such new theories of ethics as liulun六伦(literally six relationships)and wuyuan五缘(five causes and conditions)on the basis of the traditional wulun system, which are insightful and informative. With regard to building a new socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, we try to propose a theory of neo-wulun by integrating the achievements made by contemporary Chinese academics in re-constructing modern Chinese ethics and morality, hoping to invite constructive feedback from our colleagues and to offer some help to those who are engaged in the practical work of building ethical culture in China.