Research On Dong Zhongshu’s Moral Education Objectives

Confucian moral education thought is the core spirit of the Chinese nation, and also is the roots of Chinese culture. In Confucian moral education thoughts, Dong Zhongshu played a key role. The objectives of moral education thoughts of Dong Zhongshu is the core of moral education thought. By understanding the objectives of his moral education, we can learn that the moral teachings thought of Dong Zhongshu, and understand the cultural context of the Chinese nation. Dong zhongshu’s thought of moral education objectives is "the top-level system design" for the moral teachings of the feudal society. Dong Zhongshu’s moral education objectives is a formation of the overall default and regulations of different object of moral education, according to the need of social reality and the understanding of human character development.To understand Dong Zhongshu’s moral education objectives, we need to understand its political, economic and cultural background. The Han dynasty inherited the system of the Qin dynasty, adopted the system of absolute monarchy and centralization. Monarch’s power is supreme, and requires all obedience. On the other hand, the monarch need to take managing state affairs by ethics to keep the national stability. But, due to the Western Han Dynasty some improper policy on the economic, political, the moral quality of officials and civilians is poorer, even the king didn’t have the moral saints. In this social context, for the sake of the people, the situation of the early Han ‘inaction thought’ already can’t adapt to the needs of the development of society, and the ‘action thought’ is the top priority. Dong Zhongshu did not choice laissez-faire thoughts to be the basis of the moral education objectives, also because of the Qin dynasty perished quickly, he didn’t choose to legalism. Dong Zhongshu’s moral education objectives is basis on the confucianism, taking the need of the Western Han Dynasty rulers and political reality into account, the thought is joined the Taoism, legalism, such as the yin-yang thought, and formed a more realistic pertinence "new Confucianism", as the design basis of the moral education objectives. In this "new Confucianism", legalism is the stealth skeleton Dong zhongshu’s the moral education objectives, Confucianism is the body, and Yin and Yang of heaven is the metaphysical coat.Based on the background of the Western Han Dynasty particular time, the design of Dong Zhongshu’s moral education objectives can be divided into four levels. One is political education level, the "three cardinal guides" is the core; the second is the moral education level, "the five permanent members" is the heart; the third is the discipline education level, “virtue and morality” is the main; the fourth is the thought education, "obedience" is the point. In general, the objectives of moral education thought mainly focus on the cultivation of sage Kings, then focus on the cultivation of people has identification with the feudal hierarchical culture, the pecking, the rule of imperial power and obedience filial piety. All in all, Dong Zhongshu’s moral education objectives have the characteristics of integration, reality, nature and ideal, etc.The design of Dong Zhongshu’s moral education objectives has its historical value and practical significance in the Western Han Dynasty particular era, even in the whole feudal society period: promoted the unification of the Western Han Dynasty culture, strengthened the reality of political rule; played an essential role in the evolution of Confucianism; built a complete system of enlightenment thought in ancient China. enriched the cultural history of the Chinese nation. Some core concept of Dong Zhongshu’s moral education objectives still have significance in today’s: it believe that "benevolence", "believe", "filial piety" and other basic ethics in today still needs to abide by; that the benevolent thought of rulers still needs to inherit; the moral education objectives, with potential 、 reflected in advancing with the times and the reform innovation idea still needs to develop; that in the era of cultural diversity to establish the dominant values to increase the effectiveness of moral education. But Dong Zhongshu’s moral education objectives also has its limitations, For instance: insufficient attention to the person’s individual life and freedom; the strong thought of objective idealism; the resistance of the inheritance of grade junior ideas become today the spread of democracy, freedom, equality.