Research on the Causes of Intellectual and Cultural Changes in the Process of the Tang-Song Social Transformation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jhet.202515633

Author(s)

Jiashu Li

Affiliation(s)

Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Abstract

The period between the Tang and Song dynasties (8th–13th centuries) marked a profound social transformation in Chinese history. Employing the "Tang-Song Transformation Theory" as a theoretical framework, this paper systematically examines the significant changes in economic, political, and social structures during this era, focusing on how these foundational transformations catalyzed profound innovations in intellectual and cultural spheres. It further explores the concrete manifestations of this cultural shift and its reciprocal impact on various aspects of society. Research indicates that changes in land institutions, exemplified by the widespread adoption of the tenant-farming system, and the flourishing commodity economy gradually dismantled the social foundation of aristocratic clans, propelling society toward a more popularized direction. Adjustments in the central power structure, such as the establishment of the Zhongshu-Menxia system, coupled with the continuous refinement of the imperial examination system, collectively reshaped the composition of political elites and facilitated the rise of scholar-official politics. The restructuring of social stratification-including the emergence of the wealthy class, the rise of urban citizens, and changes in the status of peasants-profoundly altered the relationship between the state and society. Against this backdrop, Confucianism underwent revival and modernizing transformation, particularly with the rise of Neo-Confucianism. Innovations in dissemination methods, aided by the advancement of printing technology and the development of academies, gradually constructed an ideological system adapted to the new social morphology-Neo-Confucianism. This system emphasized the exploration of moral principles and practical statecraft, exhibiting distinct secular and popularized characteristics. Through institutionalized channels such as the imperial examinations and education, it, in turn, profoundly influenced economic development by standardizing commercial ethics; enhanced political governance by optimizing bureaucratic quality and maintaining order; and promoted social mobility and the shaping of social norms. The dialectical interaction between cultural innovation and social change, as manifested in the Tang-Song transformation, remains of significant relevance for fostering cultural confidence, advancing cultural innovation, improving social governance, and nurturing future generations in the new era.

Keywords

Tang-Song Social Transformation; Intellectual and Cultural Changes; Confucianism (Neo-Confucianism); Imperial Examination System; Commodity Economy; Popularization; Modern Implications

References

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