Research On Xunzi’s Thoughts Of Virtue

As the crucial period of great changes in ancient and modern times,the overall characteristics of the late Warring Period was the popularity of utilitarianism with the efficiency-oriented direction,the dissolution of isomorphic relationships between patriarchal clan rules and politics as well as free and open discourse competition among the philosophers.In the macroscopical background,Xunzi finished the form change of virtual discourse in the early development of Confucianism,which was transformed from “Interpretation of Virtue with Benevolence” to “Interpretation of Virtue with Rites”.Xunzi’s “Concept of Heaven and Man” and “Theory of Human Nature” have been theoretical basis of his Thoughts of Virtue.In addition,he held the opinion of “understanding the separation of human and nature”,which has completely realized the change of orientation of Confucian virtue from Heaven to Man.Human nature interpreted by Xunzi lies in natural existence of human’s natural life.Besides,it doesn’t have the source of virtue.And,specific desires in the connection of human nature and external things even have the tendency of evilness.Therefore,Xunzi’s Thoughts of Virtue have different philosophical thoughts of Mencius and other Soul-theory Confucians.Through metaphysics construction of “being charitable to be virtue” and “learning through heart”,Xunzi explores the origin of subject virtue.Through the exploration on cultivation of learning and honesty,it researches specific way of making subject virtue.Through virtue value analysis on “perfect persons” and “external kings”,it explores the value orientation of moralization.Then,it eventually develops the thoughts of virtue with essential contents including the source of virtue,self-cultivation of virtue and the value of virtue.Comparing to Mencius’ thoughts of virtue with feature of idealism,Xunzi’s thoughts of virtue has the feature of realism.As for theoretical forms,Xunzi’s thoughts of virtue can be completely considered as virtue theory integrated with “actor-orientation” and “action-orientation”.Such views help us learn Xunzi’s unique opinions of virtue.In addition,they are also helpful for us to understand Xunzi’s thoughts of virtue,which will make more contributions for the construction of modern virtue theories.In other words,it is the actor’s virtue theory which begins with virtue internalization.