Chinese Journal of Sociology

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The Formation of Modern Chinese Notion of “Society”

  

  1. CUI Yingling，Department of Sociology，Wuhan University
  • Online:2015-03-24 Published:2015-03-24
  • Contact: CUI Yingling，Department of Sociology，Wuhan University E-mail:ylcui2013@163.com
  • Supported by:
    This research was supported by the Youth Projects of the National Social Science Foundation of China “The Research of the Interactive Relationship between the Educated Youth and the Ethnic Society”(13CSH083)，Major Projects of Humanities and Social Sciences of Key Research Base，Ministry of Education “The Modern New Word and Traditional Deconstruction”(13JJD770021)，and Special Funds for Luojia Young Scholars of Wuhan University  “The Research on Nativization of Modern Western Concept of Society”(117-410100006).

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Abstract: There had been three stages of concept reengineering and three times of changes after the concept of “society”entered China：At the first stage，foreigners in China used translational Chinese concept “hui”(“association”)，emphasizing the characteristics of assembly and collection. Yan Yongjing，as a representative of Chinese people，used “folk scene” and “people of State” to translate “society”， putting more emphasis on“people”，“folk”，“scene” and “for people”. In the second stage，the modern Chinese intellectuals preferred “qun”(“group”) as the corresponding Chinese translation of “society”，which represented a modern inclination to the idea of “group” rather than “individual”. It was composed of three aspects：Firstly，trying to balance individual rights and group rights，“qun” still put more emphasis on the rights of group；Secondly，it advocated to become a good group by using the strength of human nature，such as benevolence，love，and so on.And thirdly，it emphasized on achieving a rich and strong nation by various social change and means.The notion of “group” represented strong tension，responsibility and positive social participation of the intellectuals facing a national crisis. In the third stage，Chinese scholars mainly used “shehui” to translate “society”，which established the basis of common values of modern Chinese concept “society”. As the result of exploring ideal society and ideal government systems，the new concept of “society” replaced “group” eventually due to two reasons：one was the spread of new thoughts，especially the thoughts of “socialism” and “revolution”，and the other was the scholars pursuit of ideal society and state. From “association”，“group” to “society”，the shift profoundly embodied that the Chinese intellectuals finally have returned to their own traditions：actively involving in the responsibility of real social transformations and concerning about the ideal feelings of the Human ultimate future，namely the consciousness of “Tianxia”.

Key words: association , group , Tianxia, society