Limitation and Adaptation:New Research on the Patriarchal System of Western Zhou Dynasty
The patriarchal system was an important system in the Western Zhou dynasty,which shaped the Western Zhou society in many aspects and had both positive and negative influences.Although the patriarchal system played an important role in the stability and development of Western Zhou society,its core inheritance system favoring eldest son had inherent limitations.It is a kind of inheritance system that excludes acquired human power,emotions and capabilities,and is determined entirely by birth.Because of the limitation of the patriarchal system,the phenomenon of adapting the patriarchal system to the real life of the Western Zhou dynasty was common.These specifically reflected in three aspects:first,active adapation intentionally or reluctantly;second,deliberate violation of the system and military destruction;third,under the premise of adhering to the patriarchal system,a successor from a small family replaces the one from a big family.Regarding social mobility,the patriarchal system predominantly hindered rather than facilitated progress,but the adjustment behavior of people at that time also left space for social mobility.
Western Zhou dynastypatriarchal systemprimogeniture systemlimitationadjusting
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
