A Study On Theory Of Human Nature Of Gong Zizhen

Gong Zizhen (1792-1841) was an outstanding thinker, writer and patriot of ourcountry. In the transitional period of the traditional form to the modern form, he wasnot only the important push in the transformation of traditional academic thought, butalso the sign of the new enlightenment. There was both the traditional conventionalityand the creation of the special times in his body. This paper comprehensivelyinvestigated Gong Zizhen’s philosophy thought and his theory of human nature, aimsto overcome the broken pieces in the existing research, coherently reconstruction ofGong Zizhen’s philosophy.The formation of Gong Zizhen’s theory of human nature is the product of thespecial social and academic background. As the national and social contradictionsincreasing, liberal intellectuals pay more attention to the future of the motherland andnational destiny, and then the new thoughts and ethos arises at the historic moment.Meanwhile, the textology and the new text Confucianism exerted a profoundinfluence on Gong Zizhen’s theory of human nature, especially the democraticenlightenment thought and Pragmatism. Raised in Buddhism is another importantreason in the formation of Gong Zizhen’s theory of human nature. The theory ofspiritual imperishability and the charity of Buddhism provide a theoretical basis of areasonable existence of the theory of human nature.Gong Zizhen’s theory of human nature thought includes: the theory of spiritualimperishability and man-made heaven and earth; non-good-and non-evil in ontology,good and evil are acquired; Selfish theory of human nature,“the selfish of humannature, the ancients think so”; Heavy human feelings and childlike innocence. As canbe seen,“heart-advocate” and “self-esteem” are two qualities of Gong Zizhen’s theoryof human nature.Then, this paper introduces the social change ideas in Gong Zizhen’s theory ofhuman nature further. Gong Zizhen’s definition and criticism of the "declining period",refutation and helpless of the trapped human nature and stifled talents in the"declining period", and his advocacy of personality liberation, the prescription that"therapy, indulge and obey all talents" to solve the brown tie, has a certain role ininnovating problems and promoting the development of history.The advancement of Gong Zizhen’s theory of human nature is very obvious, butit also has many deficiencies. This paper gives it an objective and fair evaluation inthe end through its positive significance and limitations.