Research On Dong Zhongshu’s Humanity Thought

Dong Zhongshu’s interpretation of humanity is based on the cosmology of the interaction between heaven and people.In the past,a main point was that Dong Zhongshu regarded the god of heaven as the origin of the universe.In fact,Dong Zhongshu constructed a cosmological system based on Qi.In his cosmology,Yuan is a primitive and undivided Qi,and Yuan is the origin of the universe.Yuan produces yin and yang.The conflict and reconciliation of yin and yang produce various things in the world.The Qi of Dong Zhongshu’s cosmology has natural and mysterious qualities.The natural attribute of qi means that it can produce things,and movement has natural laws.On the other hand,Dong Zhongshu believes that Qi has likes and dislikes,humanity and punishment,and has emotional and moral,so it is a mysterious Qi.Dong Zhongshu has enriched the connotation of the traditional belief in heaven.Heaven is a process of qi movement,a life body full of morals and emotions.The movement process of Qi embodies the moral purpose with humanity.Therefore,Dong Zhongshu has demonstrated the transcendence of humanity from Qi study.Compared with the idea of Confucius and Mencius using emotion to confirm the humanity,which is his innovation.Dong Zhongshu explained human nature through the theory of yin and yang.He believed that human beings have innate good qualities,but good qualities need to be cultivated.Dong Zhongshu’s theory of human nature always pays attention to the question of how human nature is transformed into good.Dong Zhongshu’s humanity thought has realistic concern.He paid great attention to the practice of humanity and righteousness in reality.Unlike Confucius and Mencius who talked about humanity and righteousness from the perspective of emotion and morality,Dong Zhongshu provided specific methods for rulers to exercise humanity and righteousness in political practice.Dong Zhongshu has established different objects and requirements for humanity and righteousness,so that the practice of humanity and righteousness has specific operating standards.Moreover,he attaches great importance to the role of wisdom.Wisdom is the ability to perceive changes in things.The wise can plan ahead before things change,so as to make behaviors appropriate.This kind of ability has a vital influence on the realization of humanity.It is an indispensable ability for a ruler to self-cultivation and govern the country.Dong Zhongshu’s humanity thought involves many aspects of Qi,the theory of human nature,and political philosophy,which profoundly influenced the development of philosophy in the Han Dynasty.Studying Dong Zhongshu’s humanity thought is of great significance for understanding the development of Confucian philosophy.