Political Philosophy Analysis Of Tiandao By Confucianism In Pre-Qin Era

At present, the Chinese traditional political philosophy is gradually becoming the hotspot in Academic circles. However, it starts late and is introduced from west, the method of study is in further discusses. As a student majoring in Chinese history of Politics, I am looking forward to the research project"study of political philosophy"in Chinese Academy of Social Science, which was started in 2002. Meanwhile, I am trying my best to do something in this area, so as to be a positive response to this academic discussion, furthermore, to be the beginning and foundation of my study. Since I have little knowledge and the low thought level, and the academic achievement of Confucianism in pre-qin Era is so vast, I dare not say that I have any breakthrough. What I can do is holding the cognition and understanding manner, treating the pre-qin Confucian as one kind of thought culture resources. I set about the research with the evolution of the concept of Tiandao so that I can get good understanding of pre-qin Confucian, especially about the Ultimate Care. I believe that as to the study of pre-qin Confucian, the way by the history of concept is a good choice. There are some reasons: the ideologists in pre-qin Era had the same circumstance, obtained the same culture resources and they all wanted to end the chaos. These make the comparison between the Confucian and other ideologists has its significance. Moreover, seeking for the fatal reason is an eternal topic all times and in all countries, understanding the concept of pre-qin Confucian may give us more inspiration.When the Confucian thought about the reasonable social life, they inherited Zhou Dynasty's destiny view, which believe that Tiandao has moral character, and it could be cognized from the public demand. While in Zhou Dynasty, people was a political concept rather than an individual idea, and the moral wasn't based on the human nature. The Confucian had made great progress in the concept of Tiandao and humanity. They considered Tiandao on the base of society.Confucius rarely talked about Tiandao, however, it's the basic value of his theory. He considered Tiandao involving in the moral regulations and practice. But what he did was not to construct a pure theory, he wanted to give people the guidance based on the Heaven faith which was popular in that time. Mencius proposed that the human nature originally was goodness, it came from the moralized Heaven. Tiandao was in person's heart; Xunzi considered the Heaven naturally and indicated that there was no inevitably relation between the Heaven and human. The reason of human society lies in the etiquette which was set up by sage. It's external to man. Xunzi discussed the Tiandao from the experience so we could say he dispelled the final cause discussion.The most rational states in pre-qin Confucian's mind was moral politics. They alleged that everyone had the same humanity. With the moral tutelage and practice, a person can be a true unit. They also wanted to restrain the behavior of dynast by the moral principles, but it depended on the ruler's determination, so it possibly causes the absolute monarchy.The political philosophy appraisal about the concept of Tiandao in pre-qin Confucian mainly revolves three aspects: At first, they understood Tiandao from humanity and society, so their theory presents the humanism; Secondly, they excessively believe the strength of moral, it has the possibility to cause the despotic govern; Finally the thought their understanding of Tiandao are precious resources for us thinking the Ultimate Care.