The Prince Analysis Of Confucianism In Pre-Qin Dynasty

The study on the pre-qin Confucian thought of monarch, had not been ignored by scholars. Members of academic sages, or to the fundamental properties of thought of the whole ancient monarch(such as Liu Zehua, Zhang Fentian), or to the basic spirit of pre-qin Confucian thought (Li Xiantang) and so on to make judgments, or simply from the relationship between monarch and minister, between monarch and people etc to discuss, while for the difference between the thought of monarch of the pre-qin Confucianism and later , as well as the non-absolute monarchical power was insufficient attention. In this paper, based on previous studies, the thought of monarch of the pre-qin Confucianism will be discussed preparing from the source of legitimacy of the sovereign, the sanctity and arbitrary of the sovereign power and responsibility of the monarch, the relationship between monarch and minister(people), the non-absolute nature of sovereign power, and differences of Ideological of monarch of the main representative of Confucianism , and the non-absolute monarchical power and other non-absolute constraints of sovereignty as the focus of the study, in order to make comprehensive as possible, objective investigation of the relationship between pre-qin Confucian monarch theory and later despotism regime, the fundamental properties of Confucian monarch theory.By combing the above five areas, we have a full understanding of pre-qin Confucian monarch's theory: Although the principle of monarch inherited patriarchal throne, the ultimate legitimacy of the sovereign power is shown in the moral win the hearts of the people. The supreme power of the monarch, the monarch is highly honor;significance of the existence of monarchy is to in order to the overall interests of nation, and the sovereign has a moral responsibility to set an example for the people and the political minister(people), not merely emphasizes one-way obligation of the minister to monarch, emphasizes both compulsory sex mutually of the monarch and his ministers ; harmony and natural emotion between the monarch and the minister(people) is genuine, not "fool people" and "hypocritical". Sanctity of sovereignty is not absolute infinite, but on the basis of "morality and ability" of monarch; monarch can be evaluated, allowing national political participation, subject to the moral claim or not subject to the sovereign,and if the monarch is away from morality ,can be banished, oppressive people too serious, or even can be murdered,and in order to promote respect for the sovereign ,Confucian hold to move"filial piety"to the politics,but"loyalty to the monarchy"is not the same as "filial piety father ", the former is more principled and rational, which is significantly different compared with"the unprincipled loyalty"to the monarchyof Confucian After the Qin and Han.In the pre-qin Confucian thought of monarch, the absolute autocratic monarchy and the people of servility not fully formed, the following two reasons:first, compared with the monarchy theory of Confucianism After the Qin and Han, the theory of distinguished monarchy but minister(people) of humility was shown in etiquette rather than moral;"respect for the sovereign"was not only shown in the etiquette, more in the moral,which was reflected in subjection to the moral, rather than to monarch.Second,"filial piety"and loyalty to the monarch were put together, in line with the historical needs , political traditions and peasant economy at that time,which was a historical necessity, not a thinker belonging to the emperor in order to meet the needs of the ruling class at that time ,"intentional"preparing"very delicate dominant strategy for the common people". On the contrary, the political views of main representatives of pre-qin Confucianism such as Kong Meng Xun were not accepted,which reflected another side of this issue. However, this is not enough to explain Confucian thought of monarch democracy. From the point of view of Confucian interpretation of imperial power, "virtue " of the monarch is of ethical and moral sense, rather than with the universal values of equality and fair sense.It is shown in superior to subordinate having level difference,not equal love between people. Moreover, virtue is without fairness and justice, because the father and the king first forever is the highest principle of the law. Construction of Confucian propriety to its political framework implies inequality, because it make the king and the people belong to the bipolar; although Confucian formulanted obligations of the parties which are in line with the identity of their own, the sovereign is still in the top leve and is the core of power and interests. In addition, although Confucianism advocates moral "resisting" the sovereign, etiquette rate due to the political framework lead to distinguished monarch but minister(people) of humility,which affects objectivly minister's admonishing king's voice and efforts, so that minister's admonishing king turns into a mere formality, and is eventually reduced to a dead letter.The pre-qin Confucian put the sovereign's rights and interests on the peak ofetiquette rate and also by "virtue" gave monarch various patterns and constraints as the former and premise of his status, in order to create ideal and "moral" monarch with its the kingly way to realize "harmonious and rating" social order, and gave honour to sufficient reasons for the lord. However, from a practical point of view,level of morality with too much"flexibility" can not be quantified and defined; what minister served the monarch by moralty, but because of the existence of etiquette rate, would later evolve into policy about "fool the people", or became a supplement of despotism. The declaration of"subject to moralty not to the sovereign",was denied by authoritarian rulers, because of fearring to give usurpers excuse. Therefore, Confucius left to future generations, at best, a mirage-like "ideal" rational autocracy. The pre-qin Confucianism advocated monarch to treat people like father to children, but its virtue and etiquette rate eventually made the love to be specificated in the relationship of the attachment and be dependent; hierarchy and the concept of family ethics provided two-way moral obligation , but the concept of inequality was deep rooted in psychology of Chinese and posed significant "harm"to character of the nation. In the pre-qin Confucian thought of monarchy, the absolute dictatorship and servility of the people not fully formed.Ruling class and Confucian after the Qin and Han based on pre-qin Confucianism, learnt from thought of other schools, reformed them, which removed more virty and obligation of lord ,and more stressed one-way obligation of minister and people, and strengthened the autocratic monarchy and servility of people in order to meet the needs of the times and the rule.So the theory of absolute authoritarian combined with the power, maturing in political practice,and ultimately became the ruling ideology of feudal society during more than two thousand years.