Mutual cultural consciousness between “Ge” and “Ju”: Fei Hsiao-tung’s cultural perspective on the pattern of unity in diversity and the community of a shared future for mankind

Abstract

Abstract Facing the new era, we should re-examine and understand the theory of “the pattern of unity in diversity of the Chinese nation” put forward by Fei Hsiao-tung from the historical and cultural perspectives, which will bring us many new insights. The Chinese national consciousness of unity can be understood as “Ge” (格), while “Ju (局) as “layout” and “distribution”, which means in the same spatial scope and form of “Ge”, how the units within the Chinese nation are laid out and distributed. Under such “Ge” and “Ju” viewpoints, people and goods, nature and society, culture and technology, China and the world, can be connected and integrated so that a reciprocal community with “being together” could possibly come true at last, and cultural self-consciousness, consciousness of the others’ cultures and mutual cultural consciousness are inevitable. On this basis, it is meaningful to discuss the ultimate goal and state of construction of a community with a shared future for mankind and the world of “Great Harmony”.

Keywords

• Diversity and unity
• Ge and Ju
• Cultural self-consciousness
• Consciousness of the others’ cultures
• Mutual cultural consciousness