Open AccessSome aspects of virtue during the Yuan epoch
Author(s) -
Sergey V. Sidorovich
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
orientalistica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2687-0738
pISSN - 2618-7043
DOI - 10.31696/2618-7043-2022-5-1-035-055
Subject(s) - virtue , righteousness , filial piety , china , contradiction , state (computer science) , law , piety , scope (computer science) , philosophy , period (music) , virtuous circle and vicious circle , political science , sociology , aesthetics , epistemology , theology , gender studies , economics , algorithm , computer science , programming language , macroeconomics
This article studies the attitude of the state towards the display of filial piety, widow’s chastity, and similar acts of righteousness during the Mongolian rule in China. Moral tales about virtuous deeds had been spreading in China since old times. Were they considered a dogma during the period in scope, or was the perception of such stories changing over time? Sources of legal nature show that some examples of filial piety had not been approved or had been as well prohibited even before the foundation of the Yuan state (1271–1368). The article also analyzes the contradiction of some virtue acts with the laws of those times. The criteria, upon which virtuous people were to be recommended for reward, as well as the corresponding procedure of recommendation are discussed. In addition, the question of whether virtuous behavior promised any material benefits is noteworthy.