Study On Feng Youlan's Ethical Thought

In this paper, the main study object is Feng Youlan's neo-Confucian which was established during 1930s-1940s, the purpose is to refine and summarize his ethic theory. The article is composed of five parts:The first part is the historical background and the theoretical basis. Cheng-Zhu's Confucian, western Pragmatism and Neorealists are the oretical origin, the metaphysical theory of the neo-Confucian is the oretical basis.The second part is Feng Youlan's humanity theory. Humanity is a man being. Feng Youlan gives the view of"positive nature","impositive nature"and"independent nature". He thinks humanity is good and evil is from impositive nature".The third part is Feng Youlan's morality theory. He thinks morality is the basic rules of society and organization. There are unchangeable and changeable moralities Morality standard is variable with the different society and organization.The forth part is Feng Youlan's moral accomplishment theory. He divides the human life into four states: natural state, utilitarian state, moral state and universal state. His ideal personality is sage and he indicates moral cultivation should combine"self-conscious understanding", seriousness and the assembling of justice.The fifth part is to appraise Feng Youlan's contribution, the limitation and the enlightening on ethnics."Human life state"theory is his important contribution, the way to"universal state"requires further study. Feng Youlan's view of improving man's spiritual realm plays a significant role in modern society.