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==Sincerity in Western societies==

==Sincerity in Western societies==

Discussed by Aristotle in his ''Nicomachean Ethics'', where "truthfulness or sincerity is a desirable mean state between the deficiency of [[irony]] or self-deprecation and the excess of boastfulness"[1] [2], it appears as an [[ideal]] ([[virtue]]) in Europe and North America in the 17th century; and it gained considerable momentum during the [[Romantic movement]], when sincerity was first celebrated as an artistic and social ideal. Indeed, in mid- to late-nineteenth century America, sincerity was an [[idea]] reflected in [[manner]]isms, hairstyles, women's dress, and the literature of the time.

Discussed by Aristotle in his ''Nicomachean Ethics'', where "truthfulness or sincerity is a desirable mean state between the deficiency of [[irony]] or self-deprecation and the excess of boastfulness"[1] [2], it appears as an [[ideal]] ([[virtue]]) in Europe and North America in the 17th century; and it gained considerable momentum during the [[Romantic movement]], when sincerity was first celebrated as an artistic and social ideal. Indeed, in mid- to late-nineteenth century America, sincerity was an [[idea]] reflected in [[manner]]isms, hairstyles, women's dress, and the literature of the time.

 

More recently, sincerity has been under assault by several modern developments such as [[psychoanalysis]] and postmodern developments such as deconstruction. Some scholars view sincerity as a construct rather than a moral virtue—although any virtue can be construed as a 'mere construct' rather than an actual phenomenon.

More recently, sincerity has been under assault by several modern developments such as [[psychoanalysis]] and postmodern developments such as deconstruction. Some scholars view sincerity as a construct rather than a moral virtue—although any virtue can be construed as a 'mere construct' rather than an actual phenomenon.

Literary [[critic]] Lionel Trilling dealt with the subject of sincerity, its roots, its [[evolution]], its moral quotient, and its relationship to authenticity in a series of lectures published under the title ''Sincerity and Authenticity.''

Literary [[critic]] Lionel Trilling dealt with the subject of sincerity, its roots, its [[evolution]], its moral quotient, and its relationship to authenticity in a series of lectures published under the title ''Sincerity and Authenticity.''

==Sincerity in Confucian societies==

==Sincerity in Confucian societies==

Sincerity is notably developed as a [[virtue]] in Confucian societies (China, Korea, and Japan). The [[concept]] of chéng (誠、诚) as expounded in two of the Confucian classics, the Da Xue and the Zhong Yong is generally translated as sincerity. As in the west, the term implies a congruence of avowal and inner feeling, but inner feeling is in turn ideally responsive to [[ritual]] propriety and social [[hierarchy]]. Specifically, Confucian's Analects contains the following statement in Chapter I: (主忠信。毋友不如己者。過，則勿憚改。) "Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Then no friends would not be like yourself (all friends would be as loyal as yourself). If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to correct it."

Sincerity is notably developed as a [[virtue]] in Confucian societies (China, Korea, and Japan). The [[concept]] of chéng (誠、诚) as expounded in two of the Confucian classics, the Da Xue and the Zhong Yong is generally translated as sincerity. As in the west, the term implies a congruence of avowal and inner feeling, but inner feeling is in turn ideally responsive to [[ritual]] propriety and social [[hierarchy]]. Specifically, Confucian's Analects contains the following statement in Chapter I: (主忠信。毋友不如己者。過，則勿憚改。) "Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles. Then no friends would not be like yourself (all friends would be as loyal as yourself). If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to correct it."