Research Of Self-realization Of Paulsen

In this paper, Paulsen's thinking of self-realization is studied based on his�system of ethics". The core idea of Paulsen's ethics system is thinking of self-realization based on teleology. The whole ideological system of ethics of Paulsen is constructed based on the dual functions of ethics. In the views of Paulsen, ethics is science of practice and the practice refers to a person's mental activity, rather than material activities. The real purpose of ethics is to guide practice and guide people's spiritual life; it is restrictive rather than creative. Dual functions of ethics are to determine the purpose of life or perfection and the way and means to achieve the purpose. Corresponding to the dual functions of ethics, Paulsen discusses his views on theory of kindness and theory of morality, which together constitutes Paulsen's ethics system.To achieve perfection is the purpose of life and virtue is the means to achieve perfection. Virtue is a part of perfection and a part of content to constitute a perfect life. Self-realization in teleology in fact refers to realization of the most perfect development of human's capabilities and spirit with perfection as the ultimate goal,which is the core idea of Paulsen's ethics system. Paulsen regards the free will as the way of existence for nature of a human. As rational beings with the free will, people get rid of animal-like sensory impulses and preferences and can make choice consistent with human's reason and conscience according to the objectives and rules.Paulsen considers that the moral theory and deontology are two aspects of morality theory, which means that Paulsen considers moral theory and deontology is different ways to perform the same proposition. Deontology explains what kind of behavior can solve the problems of life. It proposes a system of rules similar to a command or yardstick, while virtue theory depicts human's capacity system. Paulsen learns from self-control theory in ancient Greek ethics and doctrine of Christian ethics regarding merciful and regards them as the most important personal morality and social virtue the will needs to have.Paulsen's self-realization theory produced a stage impact in Germany and European and American academia during the late 19 th century and the beginning of the 20 th century. As an ethicist, his "System of Ethics" has been translated into English,Japanese and Chinese and other languages and generated a major impact on ChineseProterozoic intellectual elites such as Wang Guowei and Cai Yuanpei and the thought of Mao Zedong at the youth stage. However, due to the limitations of his theory, now it is rarely mentioned; to study his thought of ethics has a lot of space and meaning.