The Ethic Of Confucianism And The Spirit Of Hui-merchant: The Emperical Research Of Weberian Problem

The thesis tries to explore how the ethic of Confucianism constructs the spirit of Hui-merchant, and what is the essence of the spirit of Hui-merchant as well, thus responds to the"Weberian Problem". In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber argues that the Protestant ethic promoted the development of capitalism. While in The Religion of China: Confucianism and Taoism, Weber concludes that Confucianism and Taoism prevented the emergence of capitalism in China. Yu Yingshih refutes Weber's"China Proposition"by citing and analyzing the doctrine of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. He argues that the ethic of Chinese religion in modern times consists of the spirit of"inner-worldly asceticism", and the ethic of Confucianism could promote the development of the spirit of Chinese capitalism. Both Weber and Yu Yingshih argue only in the aspects of religious doctrine while neglecting the empirical research of the spirit of merchant. However, Weberologist and Yu Yingshih realize this afterwards. Yu Yingshih emphasized that the resources of Hui-merchant would testify his conclusion but he himself has not used the resources to do the further study and Hui-merchant researchers have not responded yet. Based on systemizing a plenty of resources of Hui-merchant, this thesis quests for the spirit of Hui-merchant from the merchant themselves perspective and applies the emperical research to testing the"Weberian Problem".The thesis has five chapters other than introduction and conclusion. The introduction is about significance, current situation, train of thought, methods and resources of the study. As below is the main idea within five chapters of the thesis.Firstly, approaching the Confucianism tradition of Hui-merchant and the compatibility between Hui-merchant and Confucianism. Most of Hui-merchants'forefathers moved from central China to Huizhou Area because of escaping the fighting, staying for beautiful landscape or working as governmental officials. They had the tradition of being fond of Confucianism. From central China to Huizhou Area, they have carried on Confucianism and developed it into Xin'an Neo-Confucianism, typical Confucianism transmission.Secondly, doing business but being fond of Confucianism are Hui-merchant's basic characteristics. Hui-merchants are merchants with Confucian style and fond of Confucianism. They tend to win favor of literati and officials showing they are fond of Confucianism. Hui-merchant attach importance to education, they support both private and public schools, and employ famous teachers for the schools. Respect ing and promoting Confucianism and becoming officials are Hui-merchant's ultimate concern. In their opinion, the most honorable thing is to uphold Confucianism.Finally, the ethic of Confucianism has gestated the spirit of Hui-merchant that consists of valuing agnation, keeping loyal to the state, cooperating harmoniously, keeping hard-working and tolerant of hardship, working hard with a pioneering spirit, being honest and trustworthy, being glad to give to charities, being industrious and frugal, and emphasizing education and culture as well. Specifically speaking, these spirits have shown as follows. First, Hui-merchant have spent much money on compiling geneology, constructing ancestral hall and seeting up clan fields so that the patriarchal system of respecting the ancestors and integrating the clan has been strengthened. Second, Hui-merchant have followed the emperor's instructions carefully and payed taxes and donated to the state. Third, Hui-merchant pay attention to blood relationship, local touch and professional relationship, and usually help each other. Fourth, Hui-merchant keep hard-working and tolerant of hardship like camel and cattle. Fifth, Hui-merchant regard business as their career and life pursuit. Numerous Hui-merchants do many kinds of business over a large area. Sixth, honesty and trustworth are the Hui-merchant's guidelines of personal relationship so that they focus on commodity quality. Seventh, Hui-merchant have contributed not only money but also intelligence to public welfare, such as education, infrastructure construction, disaster relief and helping the poor. Eighth, Hui-merchant are industrious and frugal. Ninth, Hui-merchant are the yeast of Hui-culture. Hui-merchant have provided Hui-culture the economic support and made the resplendence of Hui-culture.The conclusion has criticized and reflected the"Weberian Problem". According to Yu Yingshih, Protestant ethic (inner-worldly asceticism) mainly includes the virtue of being industrious and frugal, and being honest and trustworthy. Earning money is the Western capitalist's"calling", and they devote themselves to making money not for creature comfort but just for money. Hui-merchant also have such kind of transcendental motivation, and they have been deeply convinced that their business has had magnific meaning and value, such as keeping loyal to the state, valuing agnation, relieving the vulnerable and prospering culture. Western merchants develop social responsibility into religious spirit while Hui-merchant melt religious spirit into social responsibility. Hui-merchant do business not for God but for Confucianism. Hui-merchant keep hard-working and tolerant of hardship and work hard with a pioneering spirit, not adapting to but rebuilding the world. In the books of business, they conclude their knowledge and experience. Business arithmetic is the basic skill for Hui-merchant. This is similar to Weberian"rationalizing process". In a word, the emperical resources of the spirit of Hui-merchant further support and confirm Yu Yingshih's viewpoint.