A Study On Pre-Qin Inter-State Moral Thoughts

Pre-Qin inter-state moral thoughts are important parts of pre-Qin inter-state political thoughts. Confucius, Mengzi, Xunzi, Mozi, Lao-Tzu, Hanfeizi and Guanzi's inter-state moral thoughts are the representation of Confucian, Mohist, Taoists and Legalist in pre-Qin.The inner logic of each philosopher's inter-state moral thoughts is different from others. The start point of the logic of each philosopher'inter-state moral thoughts are not all the same. Confucian and Lao-Tzus'are abstract rule. Mengzi, Xunzi and Hanfeizi's are human nature. Mozi and Guanzi's are interest.All the pre-Qin philosophers, except Hanfeizi, think that a state should follow these principles when dealing with others:abiding by the morals instead of bullying; getting along well with each other instead of going to war. Confucius, Xunzi and Guanzi all emphasize integrity. Confucian and Guanzi argue that states'action should comply with international norms. Lao-Tzu emphasizes the respect of human life.The seven philosophers have different views on the relation between inter-state morality and state interest. Confucius, Mengzi and Hanfeizi think they are opposite;while Lao-Tzu, Mozi, Xunzi and Guanzi think they are unitive.The seven philosophers have different views on the relation between inter-state morality and inter-state authority. Confucius and Mengzi think that only morality is enough for a state to achieve inter-state authority, while Lao-Tzus, Xunzi and Guanzi think power should be put on,too. Mozi and Hanfeizi think that these two has no direct relations.The seven leading philosophers inter-state moral thoughts are integral parts of international political thoughts in pre-Qin. The base of Chinese inter-state moral thoughts in pre-Qin is morality roots in the human nature. The pre-Qin leading philosophers, who consider inter-state morality as the primary factor in the inter-state relations, argue that compliance with moral principles should be an important goal of a state, while its final aim is state interest. This opinion has two theoretical bases: one is the unity of inter-state morality and state interest while the other is that the inter-state morality helps forming inter-state authority. According to the inter-state moral thoughts in pre-Qin, a state's successfully rise is possible only when its international power has a solid moral foundation,While sharing some opinions, the pre-Qin inter-state moral thoughts are different from westerns'. Both of them recognize the significance of morality in the inter-state relations. The difference is that the pre-Qin inter-state moral thoughts take morality as an important independent element in the inter-state relations while the latter do not. Most of leading western philosophers are double-dealings on this issue. On one hand, they do acknowledge the existence and the significance of morality in the inter-state relations; on the other hand, it is undoubtedly that power and interest becomes a pointer when it comes to real inter-state political activities. The leading pre-Qin philosophers'inter-state moral thoughts, such as Confucius's and Lao-Tzu's, have a great influence on Chinese culture and the world civilizations. With universal values, they belong to not only China, but also the world.