Priority moral and ethical qualities in Russia and China: a comparative analysis based on empirical research

Van' Guangfu ORCID: 0009-0008-4143-8793 Postgraduate student; Faculty of Philology; Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, office 700, Moscow, 117198, Russia 157723746@qq.com Other publications by this author

Glebova Polina Alexandrovna Student; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia sharkchenell@gmail.com

Introduction

In the context of globalization, intercultural research is becoming an increasingly important way to understand different social values and behaviors. The centuries-old history and unique cultural traditions of Russia and China play an important role in the social development and individual behavior of subjects in each society through their moral and ethical concepts. Despite significant differences between the two countries in history, culture, and political system, they face similar moral and ethical challenges in the modernization process, such as social trust, family values, and the balance of collectivism and individualism.

The purpose of this article is to conduct a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between Russia and China regarding the priority of moral and ethical qualities, as well as to study how these qualities affect social cohesion, economic development, and individual behavior. This article analyzes the priority moral and ethical qualities in Russia and China. The subject of the research is associative connections that form ideas about morality and ethics in two cultures. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the cross-cultural comparison of associative ideas about morality, which makes it possible to identify social and historical factors influencing the formation of morality and ethics in the two countries. Various scientific methods were used in the course of the study: descriptive, component (analysis of lexical meaning) and comparative methods, as well as a linguistic associative experiment. We hope that this study will present a new perspective on intercultural understanding and serve as a guide for moral and ethical understanding between both countries in the context of globalization.

Since ancient times, ethics and morality have always been the mainstay of Russian society, allowing it to survive and maintain unity. In difficult historical conditions and social changes, moral norms not only helped people cope with life's difficulties, but also contributed to the formation of collective consciousness. At the same time, a clear definition of the categories of morality and ethics is determined not by abstract reasons, but by the objective needs of social development. From the point of view of philosophical anthropology, ethics and morality in world civilization are considered key elements supporting the functioning and development of human society. The absence of these qualities will significantly hinder the progress of mankind. O. S. Akatiev and A. A. Bekarev emphasize that it is on the basis of these categories that moral consciousness is formed. It gradually develops through rational understanding, sensory experience and deep understanding ^[1]. Yu.V. Tuitsyn points out in the article that the formation of ethics is conditioned by the objective need to regulate the behavior of people living in the same collective. That is why it can be considered as a special way of human existence and the most important form of social practice ^[2]. R. N. Pirova believes that morality has the property to regulate the behavior and consciousness of people in all spheres of life: in industrial activities, everyday life, family relationships, interpersonal and other social relations. In addition, morality is applicable to relations both between groups of people and between states ^[3]. The concept of ethics and morality has broad interdisciplinarity and is applied in numerous scientific fields, becoming an important link between the social sciences, humanities and even natural sciences. For example, in the field of law, D. V. Lipich believes that ethics and morality provide the value basis for law, and law is the institutional embodiment of moral norms. They complement each other: morality is concretized and enforced in society through legal forms ^[4]. In the political sphere, A. N. Sunamii points out in his article that, despite the fact that we live in the era of digitalization, we still need to rely on traditional morals and ethics in order to cope with new challenges ^[5]. In the field of economics, D. C. Salamov and A. B. Ishangulyev believe that in a socially oriented market economy, the role of the state is limited, and over time, coercive measures can transform into widely accepted morals and ethics, commercial ethics, or established behavioral habits ^[6]. Finally, returning to our linguistic research, language and culture are closely related. In the era of globalization, morality and ethics play an important role in intercultural communication. In any communication, morality and ethics play a major role in maintaining harmony and promoting intercultural understanding and cooperation ^[7].

It is important to note that the language is dynamic. This is an evolving phenomenon that is subject to change ^[8]. It responds to social, cultural, and technological changes. The same concept may be understood differently by the nation in the time period under consideration. Morality and ethics in Ancient Russia were inseparable from religion, especially from the profound influence of Orthodoxy. Morality was perceived as an internal, divinely given principle that emphasized personal purity, humility, tolerance, and reverence for God. Thus, during this period, the most important ethical qualities were inner purity, meekness, patience, as well as obedience and devotion to religious traditions. During the Soviet period, morality acquired a pronounced ideological tinge. It became an important part of communist education, emphasizing collectivism, the honor of labor, selfless service to the Motherland and loyalty to the party. Personal moral behavior was seen as a tool for building a socialist society. We can conclude that during this period, special importance was attached to moral values that reflected the ideals of a socialist society and communist upbringing. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian society experienced drastic changes in its values. These historical stages and the accompanying changes could not but affect the Russian language and the basic concepts of morality and ethics used by the people. Modern Russians have a more multifaceted understanding of morality, preserving traditional Orthodox values and at the same time adopting the Western idea of individualism. Moral issues are often associated with the revival of religion, family values, and social justice. Currently, individualism, individual freedom, responsibility, and respect for traditional values such as honesty, respect, solidarity, and justice have become the main ethical qualities.

In Chinese culture, the understanding of moral and ethical norms is relatively stable due to the fundamental teachings that appeared in ancient China and consolidated in China for millennia to come. The teachings of Confucianism and Taoism had the most profound influence on the moral standards of the Chinese. Confucian thought emphasizes "ren, yi, li, zhi, xing" as fundamental ethical principles, suggesting that a person develop qualities such as harmony with others, responsibility to family and society, and observance of social norms. Confucianism also focuses on the spirit of the family and the state, that is, on duties to the family and the nation ^[9]. Taoism, in turn, focuses on inner self-improvement and following nature, promoting "non-interference in affairs" and "the way of nature", pointing out the importance of harmony with the natural order and tranquility of the inner world ^[10]. Thus, in ancient China, morality and ethics were often associated with qualities such as love and compassion, duty, wisdom, honesty, modesty, and reverence for parents. These qualities not only shaped human behavioral norms, but also served as the basis of social and family relations, emphasizing harmony between the individual, society, family, state and nature. In modern Chinese culture, the understanding of moral and ethical norms has undergone profound changes. With the rapid development of society and the process of globalization, traditional Confucian and Taoist teachings still play an important role in modern China, but they are also being integrated with more modern values. Starting with the policy of reform and openness, China's economy has developed rapidly, which has led to new ethical reflections. Individualism and self-realization have become important social values. However, family values and collectivism are still solid foundations, and individual freedom and responsibility are balanced in a new social context ^[11].

Modern Chinese morality and ethics not only emphasize personal moral culture, but also emphasize the importance of social harmony and justice. With the development of technology and social change, values such as honesty, fairness, responsibility, respect, pursuit of knowledge, and environmental protection are becoming increasingly important. Honesty as the basis of social relations and commercial activities has become especially important, and the issue of social justice and awareness of the need to comply with legal norms have received more widespread attention. Simultaneously with the growth of environmental awareness, respect for nature and the pursuit of sustainable development have become an integral part of modern ethics. It can be concluded that in modern China, morality and ethics are often associated with such new ethical qualities as honesty, justice, responsibility, respect, and the pursuit of knowledge, and these qualities, based on traditional culture, provide new value orientations for the progress of society and the harmonious coexistence of man with nature.

According to A.R. Turayeva, the concept can be considered as the basic unit of understanding reality, the basic component of consciousness, the moment of experiential knowledge, the synthesis of thought and being. Each nation has a unique experience and value orientations, so the perception of the same phenomena often differs ^[12]. The historical and cultural differences between China and Russia inevitably lead to a divergence in the understanding of ethical norms. In addition, with the development of economics and politics, the accents in the perception of morality are changing. Therefore, it is important to study the similarities and differences between these countries in the field of ethics.

In this article, one of the key concepts of psycholinguistics, the linguistic associative experiment, was used to study which moral and ethical qualities are most important in the modern social environment in Chinese and Russian cultures. This is due to the fact that language is the most direct reflection of human cognition. Humboldt put forward the concept that language has a decisive influence on thinking: a person interacts with surrounding objects only through the prism of language. According to him, without language "there is not a single object for our soul" ^[13]. A. A. Zalevskaya believes that the meaning of a word as part of the human heritage associated with knowledge of the world, perception, thinking, emotional and evaluative experiences directly depends on what is stored in the memory of an individual as a member of society. and personalities. This memory is formed in the process of human adaptation to the natural and social environment under the influence of cultural norms and values, as well as the interaction of body and mind in accordance with neurophysiological and mental processes ^[14]. The study of linguistic consciousness through associations can be one of the most productive methods, as it allows us to explore it as a subjective representative system. Associative experiments provide rich material for intercultural research, revealing not only the universal features of associative connections, but also the features of their manifestations in different cultural contexts ^[15]. According to Y. N. Karaulov, the results of mass associative experiments allow us to build a model of the lexicon of a linguistic personality. This model is an associative-semantic network in which one can observe a complex interaction of lexico-semantic elements, knowledge about the world and personal needs in communication and activity ^[16]. Associative experiments are usually divided into three main types: free, directed, and chained.

In our article, in order to make the experimental data more reasonable and comprehensive, we used a directed associative experiment. We conducted associative testing among 100 Russian students and 100 Chinese students. The question in Russian and Chinese, respectively, was as follows:

1. What are the three words that first come to mind when you hear the expression "moral and ethical qualities"?

2. 当听到伦理道德品质时，你最先出现的三个词是哪些？

Each response contained three definitions. A total of 600 definitions were received, of which 300 were from Russian students and 300 from Chinese students. The article presents 30 of the most common words in the responses of students from both countries, analyzes them from the point of view of linguistic and cultural specifics and compares the differences between the two cultures.

During the analysis of the results of associative testing, the most common definitions of moral and ethical qualities were identified, which are listed below in descending order.:

善良 kindness 27；诚实 honesty 20；守信 keeping promises, 17；justice 14 正直；真诚 sincerity 9；责任 responsibility 9；担当 the ability to take responsibility for themselves 7；宽容 tolerance 7；尊重 respect 7；孝顺 deference 7；勇敢 courage 6；谦逊 modesty 5；5 loyalty 忠诚；友善 friendliness 5；感恩 gratitude 5；理智 mind 4；坚韧 perseverance 4；自律 self-discipline 4；仁爱 humanity 4；实在 truthfulness 4；厚道 mellowness 3；温良 kindness 3；乐观 optimism 3；质朴 easy 3；坚毅 hardness 3；礼让 courtesy 3；重情 devotion 3；光明磊落 openness 3；廉洁 candor 3；勤勉 diligence 3.

Above are the answers of 100 Chinese students to this question. We will analyze the ten most important ethical qualities for Chinese youth from the point of view of linguoculturology.:

善良- kindness (27). This is the word that appears in the answers most often. Confucian culture had a profound impact on the development of China in subsequent eras. Confucian culture promotes the values of仁 (humanity), 义(justice), 礼 (politeness), 智 (wisdom), 信 (trust). Among them (humanity) is a central value, and kindness is an integral part of it. This important moral principle has always occupied the first place throughout the millennia of history. Whether in the past or in the present, kindness has always been the foundation of human nature, as Confucianism teaches: "Man is born kind." As Wang Heng wrote in his article, the most beautiful thing in the world is kindness ^[17].

诚实- honesty (20)；守信- faithfulness to promises (12). Honesty is also a very important trait for the Chinese. On the one hand, it is influenced by Confucian philosophy, on the other hand, in modern society, interpersonal relationships are an important part of life, and in the Chinese mind, honesty means not only the absence of lies, but is also often combined with the concept of loyalty to promises. Honesty and fidelity to promises are also requirements for an individual within the framework of the new social value system proposed by the Chinese Communist Party. Honesty and loyalty to promises cover all aspects of life. For the Chinese, honesty and commitment are the foundation of communication and cooperation. On a social level, honesty and reliability are manifested in various fields, especially in business and politics. The Chinese believe that honesty and the ability to keep one's word are the hallmark of a person or company.

正直- justice (14). In Confucian philosophy, justice is closely related to human moral behavior. Confucianism teaches that a person must be sincere, honest and fair in order to create harmony in the family and society. In modern society, directness is not only a personal trait, but also a social one: it is closely linked to the law and the legal system. Young people strive to live in an equal and just society. In China, it is often said, "Everyone is equal before the law." ­

真诚- sincerity (9); 责任 心- responsibility —9); 担当- ability to take responsibility (7); 宽容- tolerance (7); 尊重- respect (7). In the Chinese ethical system, sincerity is considered an important virtue, especially in Confucian culture, where "sincerity" is seen as the foundation of personality. Confucian teaching promotes "sincerity and right intentions," that is, treating others honestly and solving cases with selfless intentions. With the development of society and the diversity of interpersonal relationships, modern Chinese young people increasingly appreciate this quality, as it helps to build stable relationships and cooperation. 担当 (the ability to take responsibility for oneself) in traditional Chinese ethics is a manifestation of "nobility" (仁). 担当 (the ability to take responsibility for oneself) means willingness to take on certain responsibilities and not avoid problems. In Confucian philosophy, the spirit of "service to the state and the people" is noble behavior that reflects a person's social responsibility and love for the Motherland. Over time, this feeling has also become expressed in responsibility for family, work, and society. China, as a country with a collectivist culture, highly values responsibility. This quality reflects the desire of Chinese youth for the willingness not to retreat from difficulties, the ability to take on responsibilities and cope with them. Tolerance has deep roots in Chinese culture. Confucian philosophy promotes "broadmindedness and tolerance," believing that tolerance is the foundation of social harmony. Tolerance is not only tolerance for others, but also acceptance of different cultures, opinions, and backgrounds in modern society. Young people living in a diverse and rapidly changing society often become more open and tolerant. Tolerance reflects modern Chinese youth's understanding of diversity and differences, showing that they tend to promote social harmony and progress through acceptance of others. In Chinese language and culture, "respect" and "reverence" are often intertwined. Respect is an attitude not only towards elders or superiors, but also towards everyone. Respect is considered as a manifestation of politeness and modesty, it is the basis of harmonious interpersonal relationships.

Reverence (7). In ancient China, reverence was the second most important personal virtue after kindness. The Chinese have always believed that "of all the virtues, reverence comes first." In ancient times, there was a custom: after the death of their parents, children had to worship them at the grave for three years, not to work or study. With the development of time, the lives of young people have become more free, and although they are no longer required to be constantly with their parents, reverence remains one of the most important ethical virtues in the minds of young people.

It is important to see the difference in responses between Russian and Chinese students. Below are the answers of 100 Russian students, which can be used to identify priority moral and ethical qualities for Russian youth.:

Honesty 55; kindness 40; responsibility 21; justice 20; loyalty 13; love 13; sincerity 11; respect 10; responsiveness 7; politeness 6; decency 6; courage 6; humanity 4; empathy 3; compassion 3; integrity 3; dedication 3; tolerance 3; benevolence 3; dedication 3; charity 3; openness 3; trust 3; devotion 3; impartiality 2; modesty 2; truthfulness 2; mutual assistance 2; positivity 2; diligence 2.

We suggest considering the 10 most common answers and seeing the relationship between the cultural and historical background and the worldview of the participants in the experiment.

Honesty (55). This is the most popular answer, which sets this quality apart from others. In Russian society, honesty has historically been valued as the foundation of trust in the community, family, and state, especially in the context of collective management and human interdependence. In addition, in Russian culture, honesty was often contrasted with corruption and deception, which was reflected in folk proverbs, literature, and the ideals of justice. In the modern world, honesty is often ignored by people in order to gain personal gain and gain career prospects, therefore, pure-hearted people arouse special approval and trust. It is important to note that honesty is a complex and multifaceted moral and ethical quality in the perception of Russians. This concept includes such qualities as sincerity, truthfulness, loyalty to promises, etc.

Kindness (40). Kindness is inextricably linked with religion, as one of the key precepts of Christian morality is love for one's neighbor. Christianity teaches us to show mercy, compassion and help those in need, which is directly related to the concept of kindness. At present, traditional values, formed through the accumulation of social and historical experience, are transmitted through art. Since childhood, the modern generation has been raised on films, cartoons, and books that teach kindness and mercy. Examples of this are Prostokvashino (1978-1984), Hedgehog in the Fog (1975), Dwarf Nose (2003), a trilogy of animated films about Russian heroes Alyosha Popovich and Tugarin the Snake (2004), Dobrynya Nikitich and the Snake Gorynych (2006), Ilya Muromets and the Nightingale The Robber" (2007), "Smeshariki" (2003 – present), etc.

Responsibility (21). In conditions of collective labor, peasant community, and service to the state, responsibility was of key importance in Russia. Failure to fulfill the tasks set by the management, disobedience and inability to take responsibility led to bad consequences for subordinates, therefore this quality was the basis for stability in life. In modern Russian society, responsibility is understood as a combination of commitment, reliability, and willingness to be responsible for one's actions. This quality has acquired shades of individualism and personality within the framework of globalization. Responsibility is applicable in all spheres: in professional activity, social life and family sphere. Responsible people in Russia are highly valued and have more opportunities for implementation in their activities. Irresponsibility, on the contrary, makes a person less attractive in the eyes of others and reduces the chances of building a successful career or close personal relationships. Professional ethics in Russia is inseparable from responsibility.

Justice (20). As noted by S. V. Perevezentsev and A. V. Selezneva in a joint monograph, "the value of justice unites all modern Russian youth, but at the same time it is the most ambiguous and meaningfully loaded" ^[18]. First of all, justice means equality of all people before the law and the law, as well as equality of opportunity. With the marked growth of individualism in Russian society, the desire to have equal opportunities and chances for their realization is becoming more and more relevant, which is manifested in such a moral and ethical quality as justice.

Fidelity (13), love (13). L. N. Shadrina in her article points to the inextricable link between Christianity and love, and also notes the changing meaning of this concept in the course of industrialization and the development of consumer society. Selfless and sincere love for one's neighbor and all living things has shifted to a more practical meaning. In modern society, love is able to perform a useful function, but it has not lost its importance and exceptional role ^[19]. Love means more than just a romantic relationship between two people. A person's ability to love combines many other positive qualities: attentiveness, openness, decency, loyalty, the ability to take responsibility, etc. Countless literary works by leading poets and writers of Russia are dedicated to love: A. S. Pushkin, M. Y. Lermontov, F. I. Tyutchev, S. A. Yesenin, M. I. Tsvetaeva, A. A. Akhmatova, L. N. Tolstoy, F. M. Dostoevsky and many others. The study of literature, where the theme of love is a key one, is an integral part of the school curriculum in every school in Russia. Loyalty is an integral part of love. Loyalty means loyalty to family and friends, friends and buddies. It is important to note that loyalty can have an individual character. In this case, loyalty will be understood as the persistence of one's principles and values, and dedication to one's beliefs.

Sincerity 11, respect 10, responsiveness 7, politeness 6. These moral and ethical qualities are interconnected and are the main basis for successful communication. At a time when society is focused on large-scale consumption of goods and services, the development of commercial enterprises and globalization, teamwork is a necessity. The ability to conduct correct and productive communication is impossible without sincerity, respect, responsiveness and politeness. Sincerity is closely related to honesty, and it allows you to have an open and trusting relationship. Respect is shown by recognizing the value of another person, his opinion and dignity. Respect has become the basis for communication at all levels, regardless of the status and attitude of each of the participants to each other. It is not for nothing that the Russian classic F. M. Dostoevsky wrote: "Those who are easily inclined to lose respect for others, first of all, do not respect themselves." Responsiveness is necessary in the areas of working with other people and implies a willingness to help, take care and participate. Politeness has become a part of etiquette, it helps to create an atmosphere of mutual respect, which affects the further communication of subjects. These qualities turned out to be necessary due to the cultural code of Russians. Sincerity in communication has always been appreciated in Russian culture. Historically, collective forms of life (communities, large families, camaraderie) required openness, respect for elders, and willingness to support each other.

Conclusion

Thus, the main moral and ethical qualities inherent in Chinese and Russian cultures were analyzed. The modern understanding of the most important moral qualities has undergone changes both in China and in Russia. Globalization, technological progress and industrialization, and the growing role of individualism have played a major role in this process. Although time has certainly left its mark on the perception of moral values by nations, traditional fundamental moral and ethical norms continue to influence younger generations even now. The socialist way of life, the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism played an important role in shaping the Chinese worldview, while for Russians it was Orthodoxy, art, especially literature, as well as historical events and phenomena, such as serfdom or the period of Soviet rule.

Due to the difference in the cultural and historical background of China and Russia, the basic moral and ethical qualities in the two countries differ. Based on the data from the experiment, it is possible to note the differences between the priority moral qualities identified by the survey participants. The main values for the Chinese are the tenets of Confucianism: kindness, honesty, justice, sincerity, fairness, tolerance, respect. All these qualities symbolize humanity, respect for elders, and nobility, which are given key attention in Confucianism. These values have been tested by time for thousands of years and have been able to remain in the families and souls of most Chinese people to the present day. These qualities are the foundation for Chinese people's lives, and they help them build relationships, communication, and careers.

The main difference between China and Russia is a more comprehensive approach in Russian terminology. For example, the concepts of honesty and responsibility already imply many other qualities, such as decency, sincerity, truthfulness, loyalty to promises, etc. The Chinese perceive each quality separately, revealing the concepts independently of each other. Another significant difference is the role of love as a moral and ethical quality. The survey results showed that Chinese students do not consider this to be one of their top priorities. This is justified by a different cultural background, including the great influence of Christianity on Russian society, where love is traditionally regarded as the most important moral and ethical quality. In Chinese culture, love is seen as a means of maintaining social and family responsibilities, rather than as the main moral quality. Respect and reverence also play a high role for the Chinese, as Confucianism focuses on service to the family and the state. This corresponds to the traditions and rituals that still form the basis for Chinese behavior. Confucianism focuses on a person's moral responsibilities to society, family, and the state. For Russians, with the growth of individualism, sincerity, respect, and politeness are a way of communicating with other individuals to achieve personal and shared goals. They have more of a practical function than a moral one.

The above analysis makes it possible to improve mutual understanding between the two nations and increase understanding of the intercultural differences between China and Russia.