| " Benevolence " is in the key status in Confucius' ethics thoughts. There are era backgrounds in the proposition of this " benevolence ". At that time slave-owning system was changing to the feudalism. This transition brought a series of changes in politics, economy, ideology and culture. In political, society was disorder and slave could not stand slave-owners' oppression but rebelled and escaped. The new landlord class was developing and they demanded to make the political position; In economics, because the tool made of iron was used and private ownership came into being, so that productivity had been fast developed. Correspondingly, it brought the change of relations of production too; in the ideology and culture, the traditional culture of "Zhou Etiquette" had been destroyed, and the field in morals lost seriously.Confucius puts forward " benevolence " in his ethics thoughts under the background of fact that like this. It included profound meaning. This could be mainly shown through three aspects as follows: the 1st was: took people seriously and regard blood relationship as starting point; the 2nd was: demonstrative theory of human nature as foundation; the 3rd was: ensure realization of benevolence and carry on morals training through etiquette. Confucius' thoughts of ethics-" benevolence " had influenced many scholars of every school during pre-Ch'in period. Among them the representatives included Mencius, Xunzi, Mo Zi and Laozi.They had been affected by Confucius'" benevolence " in ethics thoughts deeply. Then they put forward own views and opinions respectively; someone of them inherited or developed it, another objected and denied it. Nowadays, Confucius' thoughts of " benevolence " have important realistic significance to the construction of socialistic spiritual civilization. It helps advocate kindheartedness spirit of humanitarianism. It is favorable to foster people's social responsibility, and to cultivate the personal morals too. |
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