Is the Traditional Chinese Social Structure Really Dominated by “Differential mode” or “Ethical Relations”—A Reexamination on the Theory of Traditional Chinese Social Structure

Fei Xiaotong and Liang Shuming believe that the traditional Chinese social structure is dominated by “differential mode” or “ethical relations”.The main reason why they think so is that for one reason or another,the traditional Chinese society lacks such groups as they say,so it is impossible to organize social life in the form of “groups”,and can only rely on some ways outside the “groups” to organize social life.But one indisputable fact is this:Chinese traditional society is a society with highly developed family organization.Whether adopting some standards commonly used by sociologists or standards set by Fei Xiaotong and Liang Shuming themselves,the family in Chinese traditional society should be regarded as a typical “group”.Therefore,it is questionable that the traditional Chinese social structure is dominated by “differential mode” or “ethical relationship”.