Abstract
The synthetic mode of harmony connotes a dynamic process of creative transformation. During the process, all the elements involved undergo a transformational synthesis, thus changing and collaborating with one another while maintaining their individual identity. The process as such is creative in the true sense of this term. It draws upon diversity in a harmonized form rather than uniformity in a unilateral manner. It is therefore able to constitute an organic whole in which different elements are being transformed and interacting with new vitality, thus conducing to newborn things in a reconstructive and recurring system. This pertains to chain reaction and sustainable development as well. Quite reversely, uniformity in a patternized mode rejects different elements but accepts what is alike only.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Zuo Qiuming, Zuozhuan [Zuo’s Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals] Wang Shouqian et al. (ed.) (Guizhou: Guizhou Renmin Press, 1992), p. 1303. Cf. Zhang Dainian, Key Concepts in Chinese Philosophy, pp. 271–272.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Foreign Language Teaching and Research Publishing Co., Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Wang, K. (2019). The Synthetic Mode. In: Harmonism as an Alternative. Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture. Palgrave Pivot, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3564-8_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3564-8_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Pivot, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-3563-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-3564-8
eBook Packages: Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religion (R0)