Research On Theory Of Human Nature Of The Spring And Autumn Of Lu Buwei

The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei was written on the eve of Qin dynasty unifying Six States.This philosophical work,which forms an integrated structural system,is a complete collection of various schools’ thoughts during the pre-Qin period.It has satisfied the requirements of ideology under the background of “the big unification” in the Qin dynasty.On the other hand,this book is the outcome of ideological integration of various schools.The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei illustrated a profound and extensive academic system.The theory of human nature is the fundamental theory in this informative book.Therefore,this dissertation uses the theory of human nature in The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei as a entry point so that the philosophy of this book can be comprehended systematically.First of all,introduction explains significance of the subject.During studying the theory of human nature in The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei,the relationship of heaven,human and social politics is established by integrating thoughts of various schools.Moreover,it is useful to grasp the relevance of various schools’ theories of human nature and the tendency of integration of theories of human nature in the end of the Warring States.Accordingly,we may have a complete understanding of the development of theory of human nature during the Warring States Period.Secondly,there is a review of relative studies on theory of human nature.The review contains the research of the collation and annotation of The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei and the nature of theory;the research of The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei and other relative schools’ theory of human nature;the research of theory of Tao and political theory in The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei;overseas scholars’ relative researches.The second chapter researches on the social background of the formation of theory of human nature and derivation of this theory.Since the reforms of Shang Yang,Qin dynasty became stronger,Qin unified Six States was an irresistible general trend.The new class of intellectual rose gradually,intellectual as the main part of culture at that time made the prosperity of movement of contention of different schools.These schools interacted with each other,the emergence of ‘Xunzi’and ‘Guanzi’ means the tendency of a complete collection of various schools’ thoughts has already began after late Warring States.Meanwhile,human nature arose different aspects during a period of turmoil,the problems of human nature became important component of theoretical system at the time.Theories of human nature during the Warring States Period can be summed up as follows.One is the intrinsic nature which represented by Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi of Taoist.Second it is human nature of desire proposed by Gaozi of Legalists.Third it is nature of benevolence and righteousness which represented by Mencius and Xunzi of Confucianist.These three aspects of human nature had a significant impact on the formation of the theory of human nature in The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei.The third chapter studies ‘Tao’ which is the theoretical basis of human nature.Combing relevant articles,it is clear that the basic structure of the cosmogony of The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei is a view of Tao.This view was expressed that Tao created two kinds of gas—Yin and Yang.Yin and Yang are merging into all lives on earth.Tao created all things during the motion and change of Yin-yang.Therefore Tao exists in Heaven and Earth,human and objects,and it became nature of human.Humans had formed through obtaining the essence of Yin-yang,thus Tao and human nature are one actually.The morality of Tao exists in human nature.Furthermore,through analyzing concepts of ‘life’,‘human nature’,‘desire’,‘emotion’,‘wisdom’,‘morality’,it indicates that the theory of The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei are double meanings—desire and morality of human nature.The former includes senses,wisdom and desire.The latter refers benevolence,righteousness and emotion,which is in agreement with the morality of Tao and establishes relationships with Tao.Finally,from comprehension of Tao and human nature to self-cultivation then to happiness and success in life,it is obvious that realization of morality is the fundamental of the theory of human nature in The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei.The fourth chapter demonstrates the thought of self-cultivation of The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei.On the one hand,people need comprehend the inherent relation between the morals of Heaven and Earth and human nature through the observation of the world and themselves.Therefore The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei emphasizes that people understand Tao with peace of mind and sincere attitude.And combining gas motion with the alternation of four seasons,desires could be satisfied and self-cultivation could be realized accordingly.Hereby shackles of desires of fame and wealth,emotions and dodgy methods are removed.And there are more intuitionistic and more perceptual understanding of the essence of Yin and Yang and the principles of reproduction of all species.On the other hand,as The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei put more emphasis on social attributes of human beings,respecting to teachers,correcting mistakes in time,pursuing truth are necessary.Through learning and doing good things,realizing self-cultivation and ensuring people of the world enjoy happiness and success in their lives.The fifth chapter illustrates the political thought of The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei based on the theory of human from two sides—statecraft and moral of administration.Monarch should develop guidelines according to the laws of heaven and earth.Firstly,heaven,earth and seasons raise all things on the earth,and monarch learn from them,thus the monarchy is necessitated by public interest.Secondly,heaven and earth are able to create everything because they have different responsibilities.the responsibilities of monarch and courtiers should be clear and definite correspondingly.monarch ought to cultivate themselves,govern by doing nothing against nature,reuse the talent instead of conceit.Thirdly,as the role of power cannot be ignored,this essay will analyze necessity and rationality of wars combined with Tao,human nature and utilitarianism.The thought of ‘righteous military’ is explained in this essay as well.Meanwhile heaven has the virtue of cherishing life,the emperor should ensure people of the world enjoy happiness and success in their lives.First method is enlightening the public by making music and advocating filial piety.Secondly,the emperor should give reward and punishment aptly on the basis of loving people.Finally,monarch should pay attention to agricultural production,spend wisely and save diligently,Lighten the burden on the people and implement humane policies.This dissertation which studies on the theory of human nature,aims to unify the theory of cosmology,the theory of moral cultivation and the theory of politics into a complete system through digesting heaven,human and politics in The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei.Therefore,the purport is obvious in The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei,which is establishing political institutions and ethics according to the laws of heaven and earth.It proved that The Spring and Autumn of Lu Buwei was not pieced together from various books and articles.Conversely,as a philosophical masterpiece a complete system of thought,its strategies of prospering the state based on the theory of human still remain great positive significance to the studies of that time and later time.