Study On The Learning Thought Of The Pre-Qin Confucianism

Learning is the acquisition of knowledge and skills today. It is the means of access to fame and fortune. The study of modern people tends to be instrumentalizing and utilitarianism, ignore its important role of self-improvement. On the contrary, the Learning thought of the Pre-Qin Confucianism is specially for constructing perfect personality. The Pre-Qin Confucianism put forward prolific learning thought. This article discusses the theoretical foundation, the purpose, the content, the method, and the state of learning.Firstly, as for the theoretical foundation, Confucius considered that "Human nature is similar, and study separates them". He distinguished learning from human nature to encourage people to learn. The Doctrine of Mean advance that human nature is what Heaven has entrusted to us. We will understand the Heaven through achieving ourselves. Mencius put forward the theory of original goodness of human nature. Goodness is the essence of man. We should expand the goodness by study. Xuncius puts forward the theory of original evil of human nature. Human nature has its intrinsic defects. We should transform our humanity by study. The book of To Learn have written that "jade without being carved, can not become a jade article. Someone who do not learn, can not understand the destiny." Secondly, the purpose of self-improvement can be summarized as "Learning for Oneself". Being human and being benevolent is the aim of learning. That help others to become what they are is also the meaning of "the Learning for Oneself". Thirdly, The content of learning includes classics, behavior and virtue. We should read classics to acquire the culture and civilization, and then comprehend its profound principle. Learn behavior means we should put our knowledge into practice, and develop good behavior habits. Virtue is the most important content to learn. Classics, behavior and virtue cannot be separated from each other. Fourthly, in order to achieve the purpose of learning, the Pre-Qin Confucianism have provided systematic learning methods. The last, the state of the learning we should achieve is enjoyment and honesty. Learning with pleasure is the spiritual motivation of study. Enjoyment is the manifestation of detachment. To be honest, we can awake ourselves, understand others, so far as to achieve the unity of heaven and man.