On The Philosophical Interpretation Of The Analects Of Confucius In The English World

Since the 17th century , The Analects of Confucius has been translated into English. It caused profound influence in the western world. The Confucian philosophy emboded in The Analects of Confucius has been translated and interpreted in the position of Christian theology.This kindof researching state began to change until the later part of 20th century. Since 1970s, some sinologists and philosophers came to the force.They held the truth-seeking spirit to research and broadcast Confucian thoughts. And just in this period, there appeared a climax of translating the Chinese classics into English. This thesis focuses on some scholars who has predominant contribution to the researching of The Analects of Confucius in this period, in order to find the developing trend of Confucius study in the English Speaking world.They are Herbert Fingarette, Benjamin Schwartz, Angus C. Graham, David L. Hall and Roger T. Ames.This thesis first discusses the special Hermeneutics theory of translating the Confucian text into English, then analyzes the basic viewpoints of the former scholars on Confucius"benevolence","propriety", the concept of tiandao,and the problem of self. After the discoursing of the dialogue and criticizing between them at large,the author put forward her own understanding upon these scholars discussion.Through the researching of this thesis, the author tries to open up that since 1970s ,the study and translation of The Analects of Confucius has basically escaped the limitation of western-cnetered.The Sinologists and philosophers in western countries has put Chinese philosophy and western philosophy on the two sides of the scales. They are trying to find out the humanism and benevolent spirit in old Chinese thoughts, in order to provide a way to sovle the crisis of rationalism.During the interpretation of the philosophy thoughts emboded in The Analects of Confucius .The image of Confucius in the eyes of westerner is more and more clearly, and it is close to the Chinese nowadays. This is the result of the deepening of the dialogue among civilizations.The translation climax of the Chinese classics, including the Analects of Confucius and duiring the philosophical interpretation of the thoughts embodied in them ,also brings fresh force and thinking to the study of Confucianism in China, and it also provide a new viewpoint for the deepen research of Confucianism.