A kínai Bao bíra hagyomány erkölcsi és társadalmi vonatkozásai

Zsifkovits, Zoltán (2025) A kínai Bao bíra hagyomány erkölcsi és társadalmi vonatkozásai. KELLÉK : FILOZÓFIAI FOLYÓIRAT (74). pp. 93-100. ISSN 1453-7400

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Abstract

One of the most unduly neglected segments of Chinese literature is the Gong’an 公案 (meaning “Public cases” or “Cases of the judges”). Drawing upon the literature of previous eras, such as folk legends, official histories, legal handbooks, and Yuan-drama, the Gong’an carries serious societal and ethical implications, despite the fact that it mainly arose as a form of literary entertainment during the Ming dynasty. Collections of gong’an stories are usually centred around the figure of a single, historical judge, such as Bao Zheng 包拯, Hai Rui 海瑞 or Di Renjie 狄仁傑. Contrary to Western crime fiction, these stories don’t focus on the investigative process, rather, they focus on the psychological talents of the judges, and their use of power to punish those that break laws or abuse their positions. The stories often contain lengthy, graphic descriptions of violence to drive home the point that justice is inescapable and merciless towards those that err against it. The gong’an is not just a type of entertainment, but also a tool of promoting the values of the scholar–official class and the central tradition of the Chinese state, showcasing the talents, competence, and abilities of those in power towards both the victims and perpetrators of crimes.

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