The traditional Chinese epidemic response and ethical implications from the perspective of Confucian emotionalism
10.12026/j.issn.1001-8565.2025.10.16
- VernacularTitle:儒家情感主义视域下中国传统疫病应对及伦理启示
- Author:
Yumei LI
1
;
Yu XIE
1
Author Information
1. School of Marxism， Southwest Jiaotong University， Chengdu 611756， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Confucian emotionalism;
traditional epidemic response;
public health governance
- From:
Chinese Medical Ethics
2025;38(10):1343-1350
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Confucian emotionalism advocates that “emotion” is the starting point of humanity and even the way of heaven， a specific state of interpersonal relationships and life activities， as well as the basic way for people to connect with themselves， others， and the external world. Epidemic response measures in ancient China exhibited distinct characteristics of Confucian emotionalism， which are manifested as the emotional background of “benevolence” as the core， the emotional standard of “righteousness” as the orientation， and the emotional community of “harmony between humans and nature” as the purpose. The analysis of traditional Chinese epidemic response from the perspective of Confucian emotionalism can provide inspiration for contemporary public health governance， namely， paying attention to the role of emotional elements and overcoming instrumental rationalism； accepting uncertainty and reshaping human cognition of the epidemic； focusing on emotional connection and Building a Global Community of Health for Acl community. Thus， the harmonious coexistence between individuals， between humans and society， and between humans and nature can be realized.
