On Academic Thought Of Luo Zenan

Luo Zenan was a well-known early leader of Xiangjun (an army of the late Qing Dynasty whose members were mostly came from Hunan) and also a famous scholar in Daoguang and Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty in Hunan. On aspect of study, Luo Zenan defended the sect of Confucianism tenaciously and put stress on the method of scholarly research. The theory of abiding strictly by Cheng and Zhu's idealist philosophy and dismissing the Lu and Wang's was his basic academic position. Luo Zenan used the heart theory of Cheng and Zhu's idealist philosophy, to object to the Lu and Wang's theory. He applied the theory of studying the phenomena of nature in order to acquire knowledge, to deny the Wang Yangming's theory of unity of knowledge and practice. He wielded Zhuxi's ability to advance one's self-restraint gradually, to object to the Wang Yangming's theory of realizing the truth suddenly. Through his studying, Luo Zenan made a clear distinction of idealist philosophy of Confucian between Zhuxi and Wang Yangming and explained the theory of Confucian of the Song Dynasty deeply. Luo Zenan made a great contribution to the Confucian school of idealist philosophy of the Song and Ming Dynasties. By using the Cheng and Zhu's idealist philosophy as guide, he has inherited the practical thought tradition of the style of study of Hunan and formed his own practical thought in respects of politics, military affairs and education. In politics, Luo Zenan stood for the theory of "protecting the people's interests to maintain the autocratic monarchy", and insisted the monarchy employ the policy of benevolence. In military affairs, Luo Zenan was good at carrying on the tactics of "waiting at one's ease for an exhausted enemy" to obtain the victory. In education, Luo Zenan revered the Confucian school of idealist philosophy of the Song and Ming Dynasties, and paid attention to the application of the educational method. Luo Zenan regarded theCheng and Zhu's idealist philosophy as the sole purpose and made the practical thought as the value choice. His own academic system had inherited the quintessence of the theory of Confucian of the Song Dynasty and had strong consciousness of dedicating himself to the service of the Qing Dynasty, which had reflected the characteristics of the style of study of Hunan. At the same time, Luo's academic thought influenced many pupils who exerted a far-reaching influence to the society of Hunan and the political situation of the late Qing Dynasty. At present, the systematic research on Luo Zenan's thought was still blank. This thesis plans to start with firsthand information, combines the exiting research results, makes every effort to have a comparatively systematic discussion on the sources, main contents, characteristics and historical status of the academic thought of Luo Zenan.