The Research Of Confucianist Divination In Xin Dynasty

At December of 8 A.D., Wang Mang ruled china, which later known as’Shi Jian Guo’, during his reign, he declared to reform, which was defined as ’Wang Mang’s Systemic Reform’ in the history, therefore, his government was also defined as ’New Government of Mang’. Scholars, however, have different opinions towards his victory of ruling instead of Han Dynasty. The Theory of the Divination has been neglected by academic circles for a certain long time, why did a Confucian scholar like Wang Mang not resume back his reputation by adhering to Confusion theories? Why did Wang Mang choose the Theory of Divination? Could the reasons be concluded from time and social background? Moreover, could there be any deeper reasons of his choosing of this Theory? Could the Theory of Divination be a drastic change of ideology? What were the real effects the Theory had taken on? How could Liu Xiu regain Han Dynasty by still using the Theory of Divination? This dissertation aims to answer these questions by using Theory of socialization of ideology.This paper is divided into six parts. The first part introduces the meaning and purpose of choosing this title as well as the weaknesses and limitations of the studies of the Theory of Divination; meanwhile, it introduces the methods of doing research on this theme.The second part of this paper is aimed to clarify the basic situation of the Theory, it is divided into four subjects:1 the origin of the Theory of Divination; 2 the definition of Theory of Divination; 3 the contents and form of the Theory of Divination; 4 the influences of the Theory of Divination on Western Han Dynasty.The third part serves as a transition by presenting the evolution of social ideology during the time from Western Han Dynasty to the foundation of Wang Mang’s government.The fourth part discusses the new exploration of ideological socialization and the reasons of the rising of the Theory of Divination from four basic perspectives:economy, thoughts, social situation and the characteristics of Wang Mang.The fifth part is the most significant part of this paper for it introduces how the Theory influences Wang Mang government as a socialized ideology, to explain this clearly, this part consists of three sections:1 explain the influence of the Theory of Divination on the construction of Wang Mang government through public opinions, history, extenuation by Confucianism and its effects on Wang Mang himself; 2 explain the influence of the Theory on the consolidation of Wang Mang government through different social classes and Wang’s political reform; 3 explain the influence of the Theory of Divination on the deconstruction of Wang Mang government through the practices of this Theory and relationship between fallen of his reign and the very Theory.The last part of this paper mainly talks about the continuous development of the Theory of Divination after the collapse of Wang’s government while briefly describes the Theory’s influence on Liu Xiu’s reign, at last gives the enlightenment from effects of the Theory of Divination within the rise and fall of Wang Mang government.