| Leibniz is a famous 17th-century German philosopher and ethicist as well as a western thinker who highly appreciated China' s culture. His thoughts are marked by an ethical theory of harmony, the study of which can provide us with some hints concerning how to build the Socialist Harmonious Society.Leibniz's "monad theory" is the philosophical foundation for his ethical thoughts of harmony, so we can take it as a starting point for our present study. Leibniz' s "monad theory" is also called "pre- established doctrine of harmony". In his view, the order of the world was prearranged by God in the Creation, with each monad having its own character and following a special way of development and change while staying in harmony with other monads.Leibniz' s ethical thoughts of harmony include: the general harmony between monads, the harmony between Soul and body, Natural and social harmony, and the harmony between initiative harmony and passive harmony. His ethical thoughts are characterized by the following strong points: (1) it discloses the process of harmony; (2) it shows the unity between initiative harmony and passive harmony. It's main weak points are found in: (1) it has a strong Christian color; (2) it advocates a kind of harmony which lacks a dialectical quality and practicality; (3) there exists contradictions between the so-called initiative harmony and passive harmony; (4) the justification for harmony is not well-established.The present study is of both theoretical and practical significance in helping us understand and explain the relations between man and man, between man and society, and between man and nature. What's more, it can provide us with some instructive hints about our efforts to build up the Socialist Harmonious Society.
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