On Identifications Of Human Ability And Nature--The Jen Wu Chih Of Liu Shao

Liu Shao's Jen Wu chih is a monograph on talented person research in Wei-Jin period, including three volumes and twelve chapters in all. He explored classification, recognition, application of talented person in detail. He linked the outward manifestations and inner qualities of the individual with Ying-yang-wuxing, he also joined the types of talented person and human natures, which came to the distinguishing theory of talent and character in that period. In Liu Shao's opinion, the essence of human nature is the "Qi", and human ability is relay on human nature, which is quite different from Confucian thought but similar with Taoist of respecting nature and pursing freedom. Liu Shao appreciate every kinds of individualities, such doctrine of no good and no evil human nature changed the judgment of person's nature from good-or-evil and morality to individual's nature.By carrying on "Qi" thought from Han scholars, Liu Shao studied on the component of human qualities, integrating the five elements of Jin, Mu, Shui, Huo, Tu with the five physiological elements of tendon, skeleton, blood, smell, and muscle. Not only the five elements determined the five physiological elements but also the five moralities. The quality of "Qi" would not change, and it also can be known by one's expression or behaviors. The rule of individual's nature has nine characteristics. If only one of characteristics emerged, the one would be called one-trick pony, this type of talented person is caused by one prominent characteristic. With this analysis above, Liu Shao classified different types of talented person and tried to construct supported theory. The meanings and values of Jen Wu chih should not only check up concept and entity or select talented persons, but explore the ideal monarch on higher theory and make important preparation for the coming of metaphysician. The preface of Jen Wu chih surrounded the saint, and the contents about saint in chapters seems in disorder, in fact, they has strict logic, which really reflected Liu Shao's saint complex. "The most important quality of saint is intelligent, and the most feature of intelligent is the ability to know others", in Liu Shao's consideration, saint and hero have similar qualities, both of them have preeminent wisdom and the same objective of achieving great undertaking, as well as know how to differentiate people, which manifested his desire and worship for ideal personality.