Propriety Theory,

"Rite" is the most important conception in the philosophy of Xunzi. The object of this dissertation is the theory of Xunzi's emphasizing on rite. Through analyzing the emerging causes, backgrounds and connotation of rite, I discuss its historical status and the significance in Chinese philosophy. The basic points of view in this dissertation is: Xunzi's emphasizing on rite, as the logical development of the humanistic idea in pre-Qin dynasty, is the research on the reconstruction of social system. Through the theory of nature and man and the theory of evil Human nature, Xunzi denied the extramundane position of fatality and internal human nature on social system, and definitude the practical character of rite. With the theory that rite is the symbol of Tao, Xunzi found his philosophical system,in which rite is the topmost principle of the social system.First chapter, the theory of nature and man. The theory of nature and man is an important basis in Xunzi's philosophy. During pre-qin history, the topmost principle of social system has a transition from the God to man. During this process, the old system, in which the God has absolutely power to control the world, become elapse, and the position of man run up. The man become to be the master of themselves. This is what we called the transition from nature to man in the discrimination of nature and man. Through putting forward the theory of nature and man which drastically oppose the rule of ?fatality, Xunzi make the practical transition in the topmost principle of social system from nature to man come to be true, which give a strong basic for the reconstruction of the social system.Second chapter, the theory of human nature. The theory of evil human nature is the other important basis in Xunzi's philosophy. During pre-Qin dynasty, the discrimination of human nature has a historical function which is offering the original power to the society through deeply research for the source of good. Before Xunzi, Mengzi propose that human nature is good and thereout, he found the theory of morality and politics. But, the theory of good human nature make heart to be the absolutely order of the society, just as fatality. Xunzi point out that the theory of good human nature denied the effect of rite and saint, so he proposed the theory of evil human nature, which means good is not from human nature, but from practical action. The theory of evil human nature is the denial of good human nature theory, and it gives the straight precondition and power for the emerging of rite.Third chapter, the theory of rite. Xunzi make rite to be the topmost principle of the social system: first, Xunzi point that the symbol of Tao in reality is rite. But Xunzi think that there are few person who can know Tao themselves, so there must exist a route which let the person who do not know Tao can understand what Tao is and where they can find Tao. Rite is the right symbol which can make the person know what Tao is and where Tao is. Second, make the symbol clearly. Xunzi criticize two formally understanding on rite, one is the formally understanding of Tao, the other is the formally understanding of law. Xunzi said that rite is the realistic system in which Tao and law is united to be one. Xunzi also point that the finally aim of rite is to let the person know Tao and make the society to be good. Third, make sure that rite is the topmost principle of social principle. As the symbol of Tao, rite limit Tao inside itself and become the real humanism. If we said in this way, rite is Tao, and this is why Xunzi utmost proposed the theory of rite, and make rite to be the topmost principle of the world.In the last chapter, I study Xunzi's theory of how to understand Tao (rite). Xunzi point that Tao does not exist inside human nature, so if people want to grasp Tao, the only way is to seek outside. Xunzi said that Tao can satisfied the human nature, so people can accept Tao; and people can make themselves to be "xuyi'erjing"(open mind, focus on sth., and be quiet), so they can understand Tao. Therefore...