On The Inheritance And Development Of Xunzi’s Thought Of Ruling By Rites To Confucius’ Thought Of Ruling By Virtue

Confucian culture has a profound influence on the feudal society of our country for thousands of years,and also has a very important significance in promoting the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.Most scholars focus on the development of Confucian culture by the way of Confucianism and Mencius,but the author believes that Xunzi’s thought of rule of rites not only inherits some of Confucian and Mencius’ thoughts of rule of virtue,but also further develops and perfects Confucianism’s thoughts of rule of virtue,which promotes the further improvement of Confucianism,more suits the ruling order of feudal society,and makes Confucianism an official Orthodo It lays a solid foundation and has a deeper research value.By comparing Xunzi’s thought of governing Confucius and Mencius with that of governing Confucius and Mencius by rites,this paper finds out the part of Xunzi’s inherited thought of governing Confucius and Mencius by virtue of virtue,analyses the similarities and differences between them,and finds out the leading position of Xunzi’s thought,and finally draws the significance of XunziFirstly,this paper briefly expounds the background,content,significance and historical limitations of Confucius and Mencius’ thought of rule of virtue.By elaborating the background,content,significance and historical limitations of Confucius and Mencius’ thought of rule of virtue,it lays a theoretical foundation for the comparison of Xunzi’s thought of rule of rites.The author holds that the main contents of Confucius and Mencius’ thought of rule of virtue are "governing by virtue","benevolence" and "courtesy" as well as "governing by virtue andassisting by punishment",and points out that Confucius and Mencius’ thought of rule of virtue does not meet the requirements of the rulers at that time,and then leads to Xunzi’s thought of rule of rites.Then this paper describes the inheritance and development of Xunzi’s thought of governing by rites to Confucius and Mencius’ thought of governing by virtue through two chapters.Confucius,Mencius and Xunzi both insist on people-oriented,pursuing the inherent spirit of "courtesy" and attaching importance to the cultivation of talents of the ruling class.There are four aspects in the development of Confucius and Mencius’ thought of rule of virtue.The theory of human nature develops from "theory of good nature" to "theory of evil nature".The inner spirit of etiquette develops from "benevolence and righteousness" to "etiquette and righteousness".The way of governing a country develops from "rule by virtue" to "solemn etiquette and solemn law",and the goal of talent cultivation develops from a virtuous gentleman to a gentleman of ETI.Confucius and Mencius’ thought of rule of virtue and Xunzi’s thought of rule of rite occupy an important position in the traditional culture of the Chinese nation.We must analyze and compare Xunzi’s thought of rule of rite and Confucius’ thought of rule of virtue by logic,and find out the role of Xunzi’s thought of rule of rite in realizing social harmony and stability and promoting social progress.We should absorb its reasonable elements and provide ideological resources of traditional culture for building our country into a prosperous,democratic,civilized,harmonious and beautiful socialist modern society.