On The Evolution Of Literati's Ethos In The East Han, Wei, Jin, The Southern And Northern Dynasties

This paper's aim is to make clear the changes of literati's general mood in the period of the East Han, Wei, Jin, the Southern and Northern Dynasties. It is observed that the developing process of literati's general mood from the East Han to Wei, Jin and the Southern Dynasties embodied the general trend in that period. The developmental direction of literati's general mood in late Northern Dynasties also proved that point.In term of the developing process from the East Han to Wei, Jin and the Southern Dynasties, it can be divided into two phases. The first phase was from the East Han to Wei and Jin. The second phase was the Southern Dynasties. In the first phase, what was changed is the form of literati's general mood, while the form in second phase was barely adjusted. It shouled be admitted that the first phase was much more important in the whole process. Properly speaking, the general mood of literati changed to advocating being broad-minded and indulgent from attaching importance to fame and integrity. It is held that the change originated from the shaking of Confucianism. In late East Han Dynasty, the government's misdemeanour made Confucianism reach a crisis point. The Confucian became upright and outspoken for that they believed in that public opinion was the best sanction against the government's misdemeanour. To their surprise, the result is the suppression of the conspiratorial cliques. Henceforth, they changed their mind. They chose a tactful way to continue their struggle. When the center government disintegrated, some elite tried to make use of warlord to found Han Dynasty again. This effort was not crowned with success so that the literati gave up the ideal of Confucianism. From then on, the literati began to seek for a new ideal . Meanwhile, some scholar-officials, who was dissatisfied with the literati 's common practice in late Han, searched for a new philosophic theory to interpret and guide their life. This trend of thought developed so rapidly in the later time of Wei Dynasty that it had a great impact on literati's general mood. At that time, a new ethos, which named "Da", appeared. Superficially, it means unconventional and unrestrained, and indulging in one's emotions. As the result of the seeking for new political ideal and living ideal, the form of literati's general mood thoroughly changed. The new form's performances were advocating learning of Xuan,indulging in private life and doing nothing about their duty of administrative management. What guided the fasion were two kinds of Xuan theories: the theory of the group who held office at court and the theory of the group who were out of office, which was different from each other in a great deal respects but the same in the direction of turning the tradition over.The form of literati's general mood in the Southern Dynasties was about equal to the form in Wei and Jin. What was different was literati's political attitude.they were not nosing into practicing political ideal but concerned their own interests. The reason was that literati lost their traditional political position from the beginning of Song, so that they could not practice their political ideal. In early Song, literati was still doing...