Wang-Ba: Justice And Order

Universal justice is a problem that had already been settled by ancient thinkers. However, many scholars today still consider it as unsettled. The present dissertation therefore assumes two tasks. Firstly, it tries to once again resolve the problem of universal justice, so as to set up universally effective rules of justice. Secondly, it tries to solve practical problems with the theory of justice that existed in history and cultural tradition, so as to revive to latter.Following the path of problem-plus-method-plus-effect, the structure of the dissertation is: To take the battles recorded in Zuo-zhuan as the major issues, and put forward the problem of justice. Then begin to discourse with the theory of Wang-Ba, and turn to the theory of justice. At last, take Lun-yu as the major resource to solve problem.In introduction and the first chapter, analysis is focused on the battles recorded in Zuo-zhuan. The problem of justice is put forward by history, and the basic methodology is also provided.As the problem is established, an effective solution becomes necessary. The second chapter discusses presupposition, basic concepts and the structure of justice. The basic presupposition (or primary presupposition) of the dissertation is that the doer is an initiator (Presupposition A). The possible attitude, which derive from the primary presupposition, of the doer when he faces the problem of justice is called secondary presupposition, hence we get Presupposition B– the doer will observe the rules of justice, and Presupposition C– the doer will not. Then, the paper analyses a series of basic concepts, such as Wang-Ba, justice, violence, interest, desire, respect, order, wholeness, Tian-xia. Following that, the paper analyses the structure of justice as the basic theory to solve problems. The problem of justice has a bilateral-involvement structure, that is, both the initiator and the responder are involved. From bilateral-involvement there derives trilateral-involvement. In the problem of justice, the object of justice judgment is the initiative action. It is to the responder that we say whether an initiative action is justified, and the judgment is based on the agreed or existing effective rules. Both the initiator and the responder, even the third party, could make his/their justice judgment according to the wish of the responder or effective rules.Based on the analysis on the structure of justice, the third chapter discusses justice rule and the order contained within it. This chapter begins with an analysis on the saying "Do not impose on others what you do not desire yourself." This saying includes two isomorphic propositions, in which "you" and "others" are casually designated. We can infer from it another proposition - "anyone cannot impose on anyone else". Now we get a conclusion that, the truth of the saying is based on a self-evident true proposition– "Nobody is willing to be imposed on." This is the elements of justice. From here, we can deduce the principle of "To respect other people's desire", hence the conclusion of "anyone cannot impose on anyone else". This conclusion is included in the saying. It is bottom-line rule, also the universal justice rule, which can be described as "Do not impose on others what they do not desire". Furthermore, we get the anti-justice rule–"Do impose on others what they do not desire", and zero-justice rule A– "Not yet impose on others what they reject", and zero-justice rule B– "To impose on others what they have not rejected", and the upper-rule– "Benefit others means benefit yourself." With these rule, we can judge the justice of any actions. If doers follow the zero-justice rule derived from the bottom-line rule and the upper-rule, the overall order will be not only peace, but also prosperous. Therefore, bottom-rule is justified and effective. The order contained in the bottom-line rule is what Confucius said in Analects - "harmoniously co-existence instead of monotonously oneness", which is the only justified order. This is a further proof of the effectiveness of the bottom-line rule.The fourth chapter discusses that during the establishment of practical rules, there still exist the problem of justice. Any effective rule comes from the bottom-line rule, i.e., all the related parties should respect the other's desire. This also proves the effectiveness of the bottom-line rule. Then, we conclude that "repay harm with Justice" is the best rule to respond initiative violence. The fifth chapter discusses the realization of justice. Once the initiator and the responder agree and promise to reach common rules, both party should be trustworthy and observe the rules. However, if any party feels the established rules improper, he can go back on his word. This is possible only when both observe the bottom-line rule, that is, any party can go back on his word. Any otherwise action should be taken as renege. This also proves the effectiveness of the bottom-line rule. The rule of justice is effective when involved parties are willing to observe the rules (Proposition B is satisfied); no rule can prevent the doers who are unwilling to observe the rules (Proposition C). Therefore, for those unreasonable doers, the only way to save justice is a balanced exercise of Wang-dao and Ba-dao. However, it is not the false of rules not being able to restrict doers, as rules cannot restrict people. Rules are made as a standard to make judgment. Whether the doers observe rules or not, people can make proper judgment with the rules. This chapter also discusses that "to kill by rationality", although appears to be justified, is in fact an action that will break the order of "harmoniously co-existence instead of monotonously oneness", hence obstruce the realization of justice.As ancient thinkers had resolved the problem of universal justice, the reestablishment of universal rules in this paper is in fact a rearrangement and systematic argument of the theory of justice in Dao-xue.At last, the paper analyses some cases with bottom-line rules, and proves its effectiveness. All these tells us that the methodology of the paper is effective in solving practical problems.