"four Books" Moral Ideology And Research

This thesis which is mainly by The Four Books for source material draws on academic achievements of sage predecessors to reorganize the virtuous rule principle thought of the Pre-Qin period Confucianism systematically on three aspects: governing with the power of virtue, nourishing and enriching the people, and taking etiquette education primarily, penalty as auxiliary, so as to provide a useful reference for constructing harmonious socialism society and found socialism with Chinese characteristics.Introduction: Introduction discusses the statement and significance of the virtuous rule principle thought of the Pre-Qin period Confucianism, the present research situation of domestic and foreign countries, and also the research frame and method. Chapter one: The theory of structure of The Four Books and its ideological and theoretical origins of the virtuous rule principle thought. Thischapter firstly introduces the composition of The Four Books, respective ideological content and also their internal mutual connection. Moreover, this chapter then elaborates the ideological and theoretical origins of the virtuous rule principle thought of the Pre-Qin period Confucianism. The emergence and formation of the virtuous rule principle thought of the Pre-Qin period Confucianism have profound historical and cultural origins and deep ideological base. In addition, it forms on the basis of inheriting from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of far antiquity fable and nearly from the virtuous rule principle of Western Zhou Dynasty.Chapter two: The core of the virtuous rule principle. It states the government by virtue thought of Pre-Qin period Confucianism on the following three aspects: strictly regulating oneself so as to influence others, applying a policy of benevolence and cherishing the people, and advocating and appointing persons with high moral characters and abilities. The Pre-Qin period Confucianism believes that the key to implement the rule of virtue is that the leaders should firstly cultivate themselves by morality, and strictly regulate themselves so as to influence others; secondly, take people as foundation and implement benevolent; at last, have both ability and virtue integrity, and also appoint capable and virtuous persons to govern country. All of the above aspects are the core of the virtuous rule principle.Chapter three: The economic base of the rule of virtue. This chapter mainly discusses the economic thought of the virtuous rule principle thought of the Pre-Qin period Confucianism. The Pre-Qin period Confucianism insists on that in order to realize the rule of virtue, we should firstly take effective measures to nourish and enrich people. Therefore, they maintain that the leader not only should take the rule of virtue as foundation, and put wealth into the last place, but also they should collect light taxes and money from people, employ people at the right time, and also save expenses and like protecting the common people. Furthermore, they should believe that all the above is the foundation of winning people's sentiment and realizing the rule of virtue.Chapter four: The fundamental guarantee of the rule of virtue. This chapter mainly illustrates the thought of taking etiquette education primarily, penalty as auxiliary of Pre-Qin period Confucianism. To teach people on the basis of enriching them is an important component of the virtuous rule principle thought of the Pre-Qin period Confucianism. The Pre-Qin period Confucianism considers that the essential method of realizing the rule of virtue is to teach people by etiquette and bring thought, behavior and emotion into regulatory standards of etiquette. Whereas, etiquette has its limitation and shortage and we need to assist etiquette with penalty. Thus, only when we take etiquette as the most important factor, use both etiquette and punishment to manage people, use penalty with discretion can we guarantee the implement of the rule of virtue radically.Conclusion: The virtuous rule principle thought of the Pre-Qin period Confucianism as a political ethical system has profound historical influence on politics, economy, civilization and even many aspects of social life. Up to now, its idea still influences people's thought, behavior and emotion deeply. However, as a political ideological theory of running the country well and giving the people peace and security, it still has its own limitation and shortage. Therefore, maintaining the attitude of historical materialism and making correct and objective evaluations towards it will certainly provide more beneficial theories and practical references for us to construct harmonious socialism society and found socialism with Chinese characteristics.