Wu-chang

views updated

Wu-ch'ang (Chin., ‘five constants’). The five cardinal virtues in Confucianism: (i) jen, empathy; (ii) i, propriety; (iii) li, rights and customs observed; (iv) chih, insight, wisdom; (v) hsin, mutual trust. They have their corresponding types of relationship (wu-lun), which form the basis of society: (i) parent and child; (ii) ruler and subject; (iii) husband and wife; (iv) older and younger children; (v) friend and friend.

More From encyclopedia.com