Abstract:

In a period of social transformation, more and more people feel the inadequacy of the traditional distinction between righteousness and profit in dealing with issues concerning profit and morality. This paper argues that the crux lies in the dualism of the traditional paradigm and suggests to put righteousness and profit together with Dao so as to form a tripartite paradigm of Dao-righteousness-profit. Such a paradigm examines things from the perspective of Dao, shedding new light on righteousness, profit and their relationship. The new perspective from Dao will help overcome the limits of the traditional distinction between righteousness and profit and facilitate its modern transformation.

Key words: dualistic paradigm of righteousness and profit, paradigm of Dao-righteousness-profit, distinction between righteousness and profit, examination of righteousness from the perspective of Dao, examining profit from the perspective of Dao