From Rites to Insights: Lessons from the Chinese Rites Controversy for Cross-Cultural Philosophers

From the early seventeenth century, Catholic missionaries in China started to pose difficult questions, the most central of which were (1) how one was supposed to denote the Christian God, using Chinese terms, and (2) what Chinese rites—especially those relating to Confucius and deceased ancestors—Catholics were allowed to partake in. On account of serious disagreement about the appropriate responses to these questions, the missionaries in China were divided into two groups. On the one hand, accommodationists were mostly in favour of Chinese rites, while ‘abolitionists’, on the other hand, were largely against them. Eventually, certain missionaries submitted these questions to the Holy See. At different times, however, this religious authority provided answers in accordance with the views of both groups. This caused great confusion and even greater division, as a result of which a debate emerged within the Catholic Church, now referred to as the Chinese Rites Controversy. Finally,...Show moreFrom the early seventeenth century, Catholic missionaries in China started to pose difficult questions, the most central of which were (1) how one was supposed to denote the Christian God, using Chinese terms, and (2) what Chinese rites—especially those relating to Confucius and deceased ancestors—Catholics were allowed to partake in. On account of serious disagreement about the appropriate responses to these questions, the missionaries in China were divided into two groups. On the one hand, accommodationists were mostly in favour of Chinese rites, while ‘abolitionists’, on the other hand, were largely against them. Eventually, certain missionaries submitted these questions to the Holy See. At different times, however, this religious authority provided answers in accordance with the views of both groups. This caused great confusion and even greater division, as a result of which a debate emerged within the Catholic Church, now referred to as the Chinese Rites Controversy. Finally, in the early eighteenth century, the Holy See officially prohibited all Catholics to engage in virtually all Chinese rites. As a result, most Christians were expelled from the Chinese empire. This had huge ramifications for the Catholic mission in China, and for Sino-Western relations more generally. Since intercultural philosophers seek to embrace inclusion and equality, and to promote cross-cultural understanding, this thesis will explore what insights may be drawn from a historical revaluation of the Chinese Rites Controversy for intercultural philosophers. The following views will be put forward. Based on an inquiry into several papal decrees, it is fruitful for cross-cultural philosophers to be cautious of the way in which language is used, because language can (a) be problematic when one is formulating, evaluating, or responding to questions, and (b) show what perspective one is situated in. Furthermore, the importance of inclusion, precision (as opposed to generalisation), and practical considerations will be discussed. On the basis of an investigation of a discussion between a Chinese emperor and a Catholic Bishop, some (both beneficial and harmful) dialogical attitudes will be discussed, as well as a principle of how comparative research could be conducted, and the importance of having a critical mentality towards the way in which one (a) makes sense of one’s sources of information, (b) makes judgements about and (c) interprets matters in another culture. Furthermore, the ever-presence of sociopolitical factors and power structures will be talked about. Moreover, it will be argued that it is important to develop a sensitivity to intonation and non-discursive modes of communication.Show less

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From Rites to Insights: Lessons from the Chinese Rites Controversy for Cross-Cultural Philosophers