| The encyclopedias of daily use originated in the late Southern Song Dynasty, is a kind of widely spread popular books in the civil society of Ming and Qing Dynasties, which introduced the general public knowledge of daily life. The content of moralization in the encyclopedias of daily use epitomized the thought of persuading beneficence which was popular at that time. It not only included the Confucian moral value and ethical norms, and also involved the religious thought of persuading beneficence about the blessing and punishment of supernatural beings. Therefore, combing and analyzing the content of moralization recorded in the encyclopedias of daily use provides a new perspective of researching the folk transformation of the Confucian ethics from Song to Ming Dynasty. Through the research, we can realize that how the Confucian moral value and ethical norms advocated by the Confucian scholars transformed into the way of ordinary people’s interaction with others in daily life, when the Confucian moral value and ethical nonns widespread and merged with the people’s living customs and psychological demands in the civil society. Therefore, through the researching the material of the moral education in the encyclopedias of daily use and its role played in the process of the folk transfonnation of the Confucian ethics, we will find that:firstly, the educational thought proposed by the Neo—Confucianism scholar which was in order to cultivate children good moral character and behavior was widely disseminated in the civil society through the encyclopedias of daily use. And it was used popular by the community people. Secondly, as the ideology of the mainstream of society at that time, the Confucian ethics advocated by the Confucian scholars such as filial piety、humility、patience and burlding harmony clan were transformed into the moral values and code of conduct, which was generally recognized and abided by the community people through the widely spreading of the encyclopedias of daily use. Thirdly, unlike the Confucian scholars who mainly practice the ethical norms with the consciousness of purely moral idealism, ordinary people under the deep influence of the religious thought of persuading beneficence about the blessing and punishment of supernatural beings and good and evil retribution, mainly believe the ethical principles of the unification of morality and happiness as a moral belief. Therefore, they did good with the utilitarian nature of mentality of fearing of the gods, praying for blessings and avoiding the scourge. Associated with this belief, in the everyday’s interpersonal communication, ordinary people who practiced the ethical norms such as filial piety、the ethical norms of modesty and forbearance、integrity was in order to maintain the harmonious interpersonal relationships and avoid their wealth damaged. In addition, with the development of commodity economy in the middle and late Ming dynasty, some commercial book was appeared which was used to introduce the business knowledge for the merchants. The writers of these books who was accepted the Confucian education uphold the principle of "thought righteousness while got benefit" and "take nothing before making it justified", advocated practicing Confucian ethics such as integrity、diligence and thrift、benevolence and justice in the business areas. In their opinion, the businessmen could got good reputation and generous benefits. And the Confucian ethics practised in the business areas was turn into the important code of ethics which could safeguard the healthy developing of commercial activities. In summary, we think that the folk transformation of the Confucian ethics made the moral orders of the society pursued by the Confucian scholars could be achieved in the civil society. On the other hand, the Confucian ethical norms highlighted the practical feature through the understanding and practicing by the ordinary people standing on the utilitarian stance. |
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