On Modern Implications of Ruling by Virtue:Moral Attributes of Yan Fu ' s Ideal Society

Abstract

thinkers in modern Chinese society, Yan Fu had a profound reflection on the disad-vantages of traditional Chinese society. In contrast, his con-ception of a perfect society had also been initially shaped, which would be a lasting harmonious society that could real-Abstract Yan Fu insisted that a perfect society should maintain order as well as keep developing,building a stable and harmonious social ethos. Different from those who advocate establishing the state with institutions, Yan Fu emphasized the indispensability of morality in building a harmonious society. Therefore, he attached moral connotations to liberty in constructing the morality society. Furthermore, with the recognition of personal benefit, he transformed the situation where 野 righteousness 冶 and 野 benefit 冶 were opposite to each other. Yan Fu 爷 s individual-ization become an essential part of the moral system of a perfect society. Based on his theoretical framework, Yan Fu reinterpreted traditional Chinese morality, making it compatible with individualized new moral principles. In order to achieve realization of governing the state with morality, he believed only this kind of morality could meet his requirements.