Interpretation of traditional Chinese thinking using a systems theory approach: A harmonious society

Abstract

A human society is an organic entity. Traditional Chinese thought is profoundly holistic. This essay first explains traditional Chinese thought according to systems theory. It then explains the flow of society, the formation of class hierarchy, social differentiation and integration, the optimization of social structure, the formation of a harmonious society and the driving force of social development according to traditional Chinese thought, i.e., by adopting the viewpoints, methods and language of the theory of qi and the yin-yang theory. The ancient Chinese ideologists and philosophers, especially Laozi and Confucius, produced a lot of important discourse on social harmony. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to know and understand their theories of social harmony.