A Preliminary Study Of The Ethic Ideas Of Zeng Zi

Zeng Zi is one of the most important representatives among the disciples of Confucius,he inherited the thoughts of Confucius,and enlightened that of Si-MengSchool.In a sense, Zeng Zi is one of the founders of pre-Qin Confucianism,this is acknowledged by scholars of all times.This article discusses how Zeng Zi inherited and developed Confucianism from the viewpoint of ethic thoughts and believes Zeng Zi,the successor and advocator of Confucianism,took ethics as the core of his thoughts,which is based on teachings of Confucius and an important development and modification of the ethic theories of Confucius.It has significant influence on Confucianism of later times.This thesis contains three chapters.The first chapter introduces life and works of Zeng Zi and his status in Confucian. It confirms the relation between "Zeng Zi" and Zeng Zi and makes it possible for the research of this thesis.It is believed in this thesis that among disciples of Confucius,Zeng Zi was the one who contributed the most in spreading and promoting the thoughts of Confucius.The second chapter analysis ethic thoughts of Zeng Zi,pointing out that it contains three important theories.First,filial piety requires the anticipation of our parents' wishes,the carrying out of their aims and their instruction in the path of duty. Second,self-cultivation demands introspection as well as fulfillment of our words.Third,integrity is based on liberal-mindedness and vigorous endurance as well as self-control and observing rites.The ethic thoughts of Zeng Zi has filial piety as its core and respect as its essence. He believed filial piety is the foundation of all merits.This is the inheritance and modification of Confucius' theory Benevolence Is the Highest Merit.The third chapter discusses the impact of the thoughts of Zeng Zi on later times,reasoned Zeng Zi's transcending of Confucius' Benevolence and Rites mode and analysed the affects of Zeng Zi's thoughts on Meng Zi, pointing out that justice advocating is the intermediate from benevolence to benevolence and righteousness.Zeng Zi's emphasis on integrity and justice enlightened Meng Zi's Heroism; the introspective self-cultivation precipitated the inwardness theory.In the end,it argues the influence of the thoughts of Zeng Zi on later times,especially Neo-Confucianism of Song and Ming Dynasties.