An Interpretation Of Morality And Tao By Confucianism And Taoism In Pre-Qin Dynasty

This dissertation illustrates the views of"Morality"and"Tao", with respect to the individual, held by Taoism and Confucianism in Pre-Qin Dynasty. The concept of the individual is involved, more or less, in the various categories of these two schools. According to them, the individual, with morality as nature or character, is different from the other. This unique individual, however, originates from and be bound to realize itself in"the other"and acquires itself of morality from"Tao". These two schools gave systematic explanation of"Tao"and"Morality", with the mutual influence of them as the starting point. The essay, after a systematic summary of the above-mentioned explorations in this respect, integrates them into the perspective of the individual.So far as Morality is concerned, the two schools used it as a noun referring to individual properties and characters. It not only has ethic sense, but also assures the integrity and unity of the individual. Although the two schools have different focuses on body and mind, both emphasize the fusion of them as well as of rationality and passion."Morality"consists of passion, desire and rationality, capability, knowledge as well. Related with the wholeness of"Morality"is the progression of it. The"good-nature"theory proposed by Mencius, Laozi and Zhuangzi together with the"born-evil"theory of Xunzi highlights the good nature of the individual without neglecting the environmental influence. They are the climax of ancient theories on human nature in China. Meanwhile, they repeatedly stress the constancy and continuation of human nature when growing up. The formation of"Morality"means not only separation from the other, but also returning to the other time and again. These are the two aspects of becoming the individual. The integrity of the individual relies on its contacting and fusing with the other. Apart from"Morality", the two schools pay attention to the topic"Tao"which is put forward by their time."Morality"predicts separation and disintegration of the individual from the other, for which"Tao"provides a"matrix". The characteristics of the individual come into being in its belonging together with the other."Tao", as the presence of the individual, produces the circumstance and horizon for the existence of the individual, which manifest the individual, the other who is beside the individual while determining and restricting the individual, and the belonging-together relationship of the other with the individual."Tao"defines every individual, represents the alterity and foreignization of the individual as well as forms the metaphysical basis for the return of the individual."Tao"is another name for the other. The individual's morality originates from"Tao", returns to"Tao", and becomes perfect due to change and alterity in"Tao"."Morality", at the same time, changes"Tao"and becomes"Tao". Confucianism and Taoism make a defense for egoism and altruism, elucidating their rationality and limitation. Both regard"Tao"as the ideal realm, emphasizing its nature rather than its form: in light of the origin of"morality", it is believed by Confucianism and Taoism that there is no morality in the ideal society instead of the congruence of exterior manners with interior sentiments, focusing on natural realization of natural virtue, which is the ideal realm of"Tao".In their analysis,"morality"is not only a noun, guaranteeing the individual's nature and character, but a verb, revealing the moral practice for the accomplishment of one's nature and character in the belonging-together of the individual with the other."Tao"provides circumstance and opportunity for the existence of the individual which yet becomes itself in the creative process of building and enriching itself."Morality"is not only the individual's nature and character but their building process: manifesting the individual's choice between ideal and reality together with its moral change from understanding virtues to practicing virtues, which is a process starting from self-conscience, voluntariness towards naturalness. In the process, rationality, sentiments and will interact and coordinate with one another so that the individual and the other can construct an integrated human in the world in their encountering and belonging together.Beside there are some sameness inthoughts of the two schools,also there some defference in the explaination of"moraolty"and"tao"by the two school:such as ,in the interpretion of"moralite",Taoism attach importance to the individual character, but Confucianism pay attention to Moral; in the erpoundation about"tao"metaphysical, Confucianism think highly of the progress of Tao and emphasize the every individual affirmation, but Taoism stree"tao"physican andunderline the every individualdeny. These sameness and defference constrect the aboundation andu diversify of Pre_Qin Dynasty thonghts.In the schoolstudy by Pre_Qin Dynasty thoughts,the research of individual thoughtisneglected. Evensomebodu think, there is no individual thought of China ancient. Only there are such conception as society and the masses in China ancient thoughts. The essay illustrate thework: There are pientiful individuan thoughts in Pre_Qin Dynasty, only it iscut off after Qin and Han Dynasty. We Excavate the individual thought of Pre_Qin Dyansty repeatly. This study is siginificant to the building of the present age cultural.