The Boundary of Family Philosophy:The Pseudo-problem of"Nihilism"and the Pseudo-redemption of"Returning Home"
The emphasis on the family is considered a hallmark of the Confucian moral tradition and the broader East Asian cultural tradition.The philosophy of the family,rooted in the significance of marriage and childbirth,is believed to not only counteract modern individualism but also address contemporary nihilism.The industrialization,urbanization,and marketization accompanying modernization have disrupted the life order structured by traditional values.Issues such as rising divorce rates,atomized families,and elder care challenges associated with modernization have diminished our sense of belonging to society at large.The philosophy of the family contends that these disruptions are the source of nihilism.The philosophy of the family argues that the modern world,characterized by individualism,faces the challenge of nihilism.Only by"returning home",fostering kinship,and continuing the lineage of life can we reclaim a warm,meaningful world.This paper argues,firstly,that the nihilism perceived in the modern world by the philosophy of the family is a pseudo-problem.The central issues of our era are not existential emptiness but rather poverty,health,peace,and development.It is essential to distinguish between temporary feelings of emptiness and the philosophical concept of nihilism.Secondly,the notions of"kinship","childbirth",and"returning home"proposed by the philosophy of the family are not practical solutions to the real problems faced by the modern world.For the major issues of our time,returning home is largely irrelevant or ineffective.For personal issues,addressing structural inequalities by improving incomes for low-income individuals,providing high-quality and inclusive healthcare and social welfare,promoting educational equity,and achieving common prosperity are the best ways to ensure everyone can live a life of dignity.Finally,the concept of"returning home"attempts to address the economic,social,moral,political,and religious challenges faced by modern individuals through the construction of a kinship-based community.This attempt is illusory and bound to fail because it exceeds the boundaries of the philosophy of the family.
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