A Study Of Dong Zhongshu's Thought Of Leveling

This article objectively evaluated Dong Zhongshu's philosophy of "Adjusting the rich and poor" through its original essence on the historical,social and political background where he had lived.Dong Zhongshu's “Adjusting the rich and poor” philosophy absorbed some thoughts from the pre-Qin Confucianism,and at the same time reformed and developed from the traditional Confucianism according to the practical governance need of the society.Dong Zhongshu's “Adjusting the rich and poor” philosophy was derived from the golden mean thought of the pre-Qin Confucianism,the interrelated hierarchy of emperor,minister,and civilians on the political aspect,and the philosophy of “balance over inadequacy” on the economic aspect.Facing the practical need for uniting the politics,people's minds and the whole nation,Dong Zhongshu proposed detailed strategy and methods of his “Adjusting the rich and poor” philosophy from four aspects: the authority,the economy,the doctrine and the minority.It indicated that Dong Zhongshu's “Adjusting the rich and poor” philosophy was not only an economic measure,but also included political,economic and cultural contents,which upgraded the “Adjusting the rich and poor” philosophy of the pre-Qin Confucianism to the level of basic state governing philosophy and basic thoughts and values,completing its mission of “Confucianalization”.This article holds the opinion that Dong Zhongshu's “Adjusting the rich and poor”philosophy has the epochal character which can solve the practical problem of its own time,but the philosophy also has limits.The “Adjusting the rich and poor” philosophy of solving economic problems to achieve the political stability disobeyed the law of economic development;as a result,the philosophy had a limited capability to solve the practical problems and limited influence on the society.