Ye Shi Utilitarian Thought And Confucian Tradition

Ye Shi,as a representative of Yongjia school in the Southern Song Dynasty,he was the epitome of traditional Chinese utilitarianism.As a Confucian scholar,he had the thought of doing meritorious work which was not in accordance with the empty style of Traditional Confucianism at that time.Ye Shi has made great achievements in academic and political fields,but he is regarded as the rebel of Confucian tradition by some scholars because of his opposition to empty talk of justice.Through the study of Ye Shi’s utilitarian thought,it is found that although Ye Shi affirms the role of "benefit",he does not deny the importance of "righteousness".Therefore,Ye Shi’s thought of work is still within the scope of Confucian tradition.On the basis of this study,in order to further explore the close relationship between Ye Shi’s utilitarian thought and Confucian tradition,this passage makes the following research:Firstly,through the investigation of the theoretical origin of Ye Shi’s utilitarian thought,this passage was found that Ye Shi once asked many Yongjia predecessors for knowledge,some of whom had been taught by disciples of the Traditional Confucianism representatives Chen Yi,Chen Hao,some of whom were both Zhang Zai’s philosophy and Wang Anshi’s philosophy.In this environment,Ye Shi not only inherits the realism spirit of Yongjia school,but also has a comprehensive understanding of various schools of Confucianism.Through the comparison of different schools,Ye Shi’s critical spirit is formed.In addition,Ye Shi also inspired by Li Gou’s unity theory of justice and benefit.Secondly,this passage elaborates the main contents of Ye Shi’s utilitarian thought,analyzes the native materialism and the native dialectic foundation of Ye Shi’s utilitarian thought,introduces Ye Shi’s epistemological theories,view of justice and interest and practice theories,,it explores the close connection between Ye Shi’s utilitarian thought and the The Analects of Confucius,makes a comparative analysis with Chen-Zhu Confucianism and Wang Anshi Reform thought.Through comparative analysis,it is found that Ye Shi’s materialism,dialectics,epistemology and practice view are mostly produced in the criticism of Chen-Zhu Confucianism,while Ye Shi’s view of justice and interest concept is between the conservative Chen-Zhu Confucianism and the radical Wang Anshi reform thought,and more close to the original meaning of Confucius thought.At last,this passage evaluates the status and function of Ye Shi’s utilitarian thought in Confucianism.Ye Shi with patriotism,love for the people and pragmatism spirits are the development result of Confucian “study of ancient classics should meet present needs” spirit;he made a detailed historical investigation of the “golden mean”,made an explanation based on reality and dialectical significance,and put the "golden mean" into his own academic and political thinking for practice;Ye Shi’s criticism of Chen-Zhu Confucianism is a benign discussion in Confucianism internal school,it also is a modification of the extreme tendency of Chen-Zhu Confucianism.All in all,Ye Shi has inherited the excellent tradition of Confucianism,it was also represents another way to explore Confucianism in the Southern Song Dynasty.