In the course of progress and transformation, negative factors will arise in any society to a greater or lesser degree. Profit-seeking seems to have dominated our external image in recent years, but as everyone knows, if Taiwan consisted of nothing but short-sighted speculators how could we have got where we are today?
We want to develop into an international financial center one day, which may make us more international-minded, but there would still be the urge to make a quick buck. So as a long-term plan we should do more to develop our cultural essence, which is deeply rooted and less open to external influences for change.
I think countries are usually assessed by whether their people possess knowledge, wisdom, diligence and civic virtue. The people of Taiwan already have the first three in full measure, but the one thing they lack is civic virtue.
It is widely thought that we aren't as diligent as we used to be, but apart from those who were briefly obsessed with the stock market, if you look around among politicians, elected representatives, the business community, the media..., where are the signs of lack of diligence? To be on the job more than ten hours a day is not unusual.
Still, civic virtue has never really taken root in our soil. Civic virtue could be described as observing the law and respect for proper social conduct.
Traditionally Chinese concepts of moral ethics nearly always came into being as part of family life, and the clan system and family education forged the very essence of our culture.
So any shake-up of the social order must begin with the family. Such action can realistically be approached in terms of two aspects, the tangible and intangible.
On the tangible side, we must begin by changing modern domestic architecture. Builders should adopt the spirit of the traditional courtyard house and design residential developments that meet the needs of small families yet reflect the spirit of the extended family home. For example, each generation in a family could have its own home and yet live together in the same building or development. This suits the needs of an industrialized society while also preserving the spirit of our national culture. The centripetal force of the family makes it possible for family education to transform individual attitudes, revive ethical behavior and encourage respect for established codes.
On the intangible side we have family education. At mealtimes, for example, children can be trained to use the communal chopsticks and take their food from the edge of the dish. . . . From such modest beginnings one can instill wider respect for propriety and social mores.
Self-respect brings you the respect of others. A country whose people generally observe propriety and practice good conduct will inevitably win respect the world over.