A Brief Analysis On Lv Kun’s Thoughts Of Political Ethics

LvKun, styled shujian, alias XinWu, is called Mr.Baodu by scholars. He was bornin the15thyear of Jiajing (i.e.1536) in Ningling, Henan province. In the46thyear ofEmperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty (i.e.1618), he passed away. During the lifetime,he was regarded as a thinker, a writer, a philosopher and a politician as well. His workshad exerted great influence over the later generations. His academic records, such asCollection of QuWeizhai, True political record, the Moaning and YouWeishu, show theprominent contribution to politics. The Moaning, typical of his works, is one of the mostsignificant achievements of Lv Kun, from which many of his important ideas ofpolitical ethics can be perceived. However, the truth is that there is little thematicresearch on Lv Kun’s thoughts on political ethics. But from the perspective of currenttrend in the comparative study on Chinese and Western culture, it still remains to be aheated issue about how politics can be incorporated in the moral issues. One of the mostvital features in the ancient political culture in China is the integration of politicalthoughts and ethical ones. That is to say, in the relations between politics and ethics,politics is often colored by ethics, whereas ethics is based on political principles.Therefore, it is of great importance to explore the political and ethical thoughts of LvKun.This thesis aims to make a deep analysis on the political ethics in The Moaning.There are five chapters, respectively probing into the background and history、thephilosophical basis、the main doctrines, and the basic evaluation of Lv Kun’s thoughtson political ethics.The main body of this thesis elaborates on Lv Kun’s thoughts on political ethicsfrom five aspects. In the first part, it is the principle “King is obliged to serve thepeople” that counts. Lu Kun considers the political ideals of his own accomplishmentsas a necessary way of morality and ethics. In the case of such combination of politicsand morality, the basic order of the feudal patriarchal society is maintained in threedifferent ways, that is to say, in the courtesy and the law, in the relationship between asage king and wise subjects and policy of benevolence. Secondly, from the perspectiveof political principles, a typical mode of social regulation is affirmed that virtue shouldbe put in the top priority while the law is complementary in the governance of a country. Thirdly, the focus is on people, who are the political subject ethical requirements. In thenext part, Lv Kun gives a deep analysis on the political system, economic policy andlocal administrative system theory of benevolent governance system at that time. Lastbut not least, the political ethics of benevolence and enlightenment is put forward. Asfar as enlightenment is concerned, Lv Kun has contributed to the political functions ofmoral education in social development and the social regulation in practical level. Thereasons and methods of moral education in the social life are discussed as well.In the final chapter, the author concentrates on the innovation of Lv Kun’s thoughtscompared with those predecessors based on the summary and analysis of his thoughts.Through the comparison with both the traditional people-oriented thoughts and westerndemocratic thoughts, the positive influence of Lv Kun’s thoughts is manifested.However, some feeble points derived from historical limitations cannot be ignored.Thus, the author seeks to make an objective and reasonable analysis of his thoughts.