Tui: A Basic Concept of Chinese Social Network

Zhou Feizhou

Published in Open Times, 2024, Issue 3.

Abstract: This paper attempts to trace the origin of the concept of tui, or "extension" in classic texts. As a typical Chinese concept of social relations, "tui" is viewed as the opposite force of "self-centeredness" in a hierarchical social pattern. Fei Xiaotong emphasized the force of "tui" more in his later years. Through interpretation of Confucian literature, this paper aims to find out the basic principles and practical path of "tui", hoping to add substantive content to Chinese social theory. According to our research, the origin of tui is xiao, or "filial piety", and its mechanism is jing, or "respect". Its basic theory can be summarized as establishing teaching based on human nature (xing), generating respect through love, and extending love through respect. Based on an analysis of the mourning dress system, this paper tries to show how tui realizes ultimate ren and yi, or "love" and "righteousness," by extending love from kinship to all hierarchical social relations.

Keywords: extension (tui), hierarchical social pattern, social relations, filial piety (xiao), respect (jing)