This Key Concepts pivot considers the fundamental Chinese cultural ideal of harmony (hé ).
Historically originating from Confucianism the concept of harmony sits at the heart of Chinese
traditional culture which is characteristically morality-based and harmony-conscious due to
the central role of pragmatic reason and wisdom nurtured through Confucianism Daoism Mohism
Legalism and other schools of thought. This pivot delineates the rationale of the Chinese
philosophy of harmony and its implications for modern social practices worldwide. It notably
reexamines the relevance of hé beyond the realm of philosophy and how this concept can impact
on modern day human relations amongst individuals and families as well as on a wider societal
scale. It explores how hé can affect perspectives on political interaction international
relations and human conflict as well as the interaction between man and nature. Addressing the
inevitable tension between theory and practice this book argues for the very real relevance of
hé in 21st century cultural social political and economic spheres in China and beyond.
