A Research On The Dialogue And Similarity Between The Traditional Xin-xing Philosophy And The Positive Psychology

The value of a theoretical exploration lies in its concerning about the living situation of Human. In fact, it is not difficult to find that this is an affluent and scarce epoch. At one side, due to the rapid development of science and technology, the human material civilization have made unprecedented prosperity. We have entered Galbraith’s affluent society. At another side, because of the collapse of the traditional value system,we are losing our spiritual home. Consumerism, hedonism and vulgar utilitarianism are prevailing in our society. Simultaneously, the high rhythm way of life and the ubiquitous competitive pressure made anxiety spreading among the whole world.Consequently, the mental life draws the attention of the academic circle. And the traditional Xin-xing philosophy and positive psychology, which focus on “heart”,entered our research horizon.Then, between the two subjects, one origins from ancient east, the other was born in modern west; one is a speculative metaphysics, the other is an empirical science.How can we integrate the two different subject and make them serve to the construction of spiritual home? This is our essential question. In this paper, we would discuss along the following way:At first, we will analysis utilitarianism which is the most influential ideological trend. Utilitarianism equals happiness to joyfulness, the measure standard of which is sensation. This sensation-centrism lead to a life manner of chasing material wealth,eventually lead to the modern universal mental crisis. Instead, both Xin-xing philosophy and positive psychology paid attention to the positive dimension of our heart. In order to lead a thriving life, both of them have devoted to enlarge thisdimension. At the base of common purpose and theoretical paradigm, the two subjects have a possibility of integration.Secondly, from a perspective of generalized positive psychology, this paper try to achieve the modernization of traditional philosophy. Chinese philosophy is a Li-yue civilization. Essentially, both Li and Yue are embodies of our inherent positive“goodness ”. The practices of them would lead to a positive inner experience and harmonious social relations. Then, Li and Yue can be call a pair of Chinese positive psychological categories and their claim was powerfully supported by modern psychology.Finally, the ends of our discussion is to cultivate a kind of positive personality. On the practical level, the two subjects have offered concrete ways to this personality.Xin-xing philosophy has such ways as Yang-yong, Yang-qi and Zhi-yan, etc.Meanwhile, the positive psychology has the ways of controlling emotions, mindfulness,etc. Because of spreading the theories into practical life, these ways provided a possibility of the construction of real happiness.