A Study Of Xunzi 's Concept Of "Righteousness"

This thesis is mainly classify and clear up the concept of "Yi"(义)which appeared 316 times in "Xunzi", then indicate the rich connotation of "Yi"(义).In the meantime, the author will further analysis the inherent relationship between " Yi"(义)concept and the whole ideology of "Xunzi". Additionally this thesis will explore the characteristics of Xunzi’s ideology, based on that, the author will compare the discussion of "Yi"(义)from the scholars before Qin(秦)dynasty with Western "Justice". Lastly, this thesis will end with a conclusion on the historical status and influence of Xunzi’s "Yi"(义)ideology.This thesis composed of five major parts specifically. The first part is a introduction that will mainly introduce the background of the subject and briefly summarize current research direction or related opinions of Xunzi from today’s academic community. The second part, the author will explore the origin and historical reasons of "Yi"(义)by philosophy history method, especially explore the influence from Confucius and Mencius. Then dig out the origin of this ideology through analysis on the social and historical condition at that period. In the third and fourth parts, they are the main subjects of the thesis, the author will indicate the different means of the 361 " Yi"(义)in "Xunzi" separately. It’s a conclusion of Xunzi’s "Yi"(义)ideology in the last part, especially explore the historical status of "Yi"(义)and try to contribute to today’s political and cultural construction via "Yi"(义)"Yi"(义)is the core value of Xunzi, " Yi"(义)is the thing that Xunzi lean on from the start to end. It was the radical value guidance of Xunzi and derived other moral concepts.There’s abundant of subjects and meanings in "Xunzi", "Yi"(义)ideology mainly contains RenYi(仁义),LiYi(礼义),Zheng Yi(正义),HeYi(合宜),YiLi(义利),DaoYi(道义),etc. Regarding RenYi(仁义),Xuncius though "Yi"(义)is the root of "RenYi"(仁义)and it’s principle of "RenYi"(仁义).As the relationship between "Yi"(义)and "LiYi"(礼义),on one hand, "Yi"(义)is the theory and basis of LiYi(礼义)；on the other hand, the LiYi(礼义)is practical tools and expression channels. They are interaction and interdependency and constitute a viable concept. As for Zheng Yi(正义),there were some kinds of similarity on this concept between Chinese and Western countries. However, there were different characteristics between Chinese and Westerns in the development and research of ZhengYi(正义)In Westerns, there’s a close relationship between Zheng Yi(正义)and legislation, while Zheng Yi(正义)is closer with morality in China. In the history of Chinese philosophy, Xunzi is the first one who mentioned Zheng Yi(正义)"Yi"(义)is not only for behavior, it’s more for accordance of time and space. "Yi"(义)is a comprehensive concept of morality, rationality as well as current context. Xunzi highly valued the discussion of Yi(义)and Li(利)like Confucius and Mencius, while he didn’t completely inherit their ideology of "Value Yi(义)but Li(利)”,he made some modification on this ideology by himself. Regarding DaoYi(道义), Dao is a generalized concept, there are many specific Dao like humanity, King’s principle, subordinate’s principle, state management methods, etc. The DaoYi(道义)from Xunzi was not innate, it contains rationality. It needs to be double checked with DaoYi(道义)before activity, it must accord with the requirement of DaoYi(道义)and then people can do things in a right way."Yi"(义)is supreme moral rule in Confucius, Mencius inherited his ideology and spread it widely. As an important part of Confucius and Mencius morality theory, "Yi"(义)influenced Xunzi inevitably. It cannot be allowed to damage the lofty of "Yi"(义)by the way of utilitarian goals, Xunzi has same thoughts with Confucius and Mencius on this point. However, we will find the " Yi"(义)from Confucius and Mencius is different with Xunzi’s if we study Xunzi’s " Yi"(义)ideology in-depth. Confucius and Mencius foused on "RenYi"(仁义)while Xunzi paid more attention on "LiYi"(礼义)"Yi"(义)is a comprehensive concept in the ideology of Xunzi, it’s not only a moral idea but also the principles of society and politic management. It is the most important factor in Xunzi, its abstraction and rationality has a big guiding function for people’s practical activity. Therefore, Xunzi’s "Yi"(义)is a unity of virtue and rationality, Metaphysical and physics. In today’s society which full of changing, the "Yi"(义)from Xunzi can enlighten us and guide us to the right way.