DBQ: Would a non-Centraliterran-dominated world have the same idea of "human virtues"?

Most modern literati and legal experts, both in Centraliterra and the West, agree that the main justification for the state's existence is that it provides a way to promote the human virtues. Of course, the definition of what virtue is has changed a lot over the centuries—for example, wives obeying their husbands was once considered a virtue, but in most developed countries equal treatment between the genders is now seen as virtuous. However, the overall framework in which the state operates has remained virtue-centered since the late Wu era.

But if Europe or Islam had dominated the world, would there be a different perspective on what the modern state should do? Like, say, instead of the idea that humans have a moral obligation to carry out certain virtuous acts and the state should foster such activity, could there be an idea that humans have natural rights given by God ("human rights", let's call them) and the state should protect such rights?

What would such modern states look like?

Centraliterra is China. ITTL Chinese terms were translated into Latin to make them more familiar to Europeans.
 
I'd say it wouldn't be Europe or Islam to dominate the world but instead the Indians would be the ones to do so. They are the second largest economy. I'd say any looking into this subject would have to start there.
 
Da Qin had a little-known, almost forgotten philosopher called Aristu who developed the idea of "Virtue Ethics". He was a student of Flathon, whose landmark work al-Jumhuriya proposed a city-state ruled by order, justice, and a rhetorically apt philosopher-king -- the main goal of the city-state in Flathon's Jumhuriya would be to educate its citizens with religion and four key morals.
 
I know a friend who lives in Centraliterra, and she and I have debated such an idea. Her view is that there is little difference between the two. In the Centraliterran perspective, the State rewards virtuous activity by protecting rights and assuring privileges. It may seem different from divinely given human rights at first, until you remember that "virtue" and "virtuous action" are in theory defined by a Heavenly/Cosmic Order. In this sense, the granting of rights and privileges in Centraliterran society is similar to the European view of rights: a person must still obey the moral law to be granted full liberty and rights, and these moral laws are generally determined by a higher order. I tend to agree with this view somewhat; perhaps there are differences, but they are certainly not as many or as significant as the similarities between the two systems.
 
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