On Ethical Connotation And Inspiration Of Li Zhi Heresies

Li Zhi is famous as an independent "heretical" figure of the late Ming Dynasty in ancient China. He was committed to oppose the repression of human nature and the deprivation of fundamental rights in all his life. He profoundly criticized the useless of Pseudo-Daoist and hypocritical features of Moralists. He denounced the pedantic and ossified Neo-Confucianism. Facing the tying of the traditional ethical culture, he openly affirmed the legitimate of private interests, advocated the equality of "All creatures are equal" and the freedom individual of "Respect for different personality "in the very harsh Ethics of the feudal society.His independent personality, the concept of equality and critical spirit made him be the thinkers of that era. Under the influence of Li Zhi’s thought, Chinese intellectuals set of the enlightenment movement with the modern significance. The movement advanced the modern transformation of Chinese ethical thought. The limitations of the time and the class impede him to put the systematized ideal social programs forward. But his progressive played a role in the later development of thinking. It is significant for us to make the thorough inquire to Li Zhi’s thought which can help us accurate understand and inherit Chinese traditional culture.