| As we known,the concept of junzi(the superior man)did exist before the birth of Confucius.As a product of patriarchal ethical politics in the West Chou dynasty(appr.1046.BC.-771.BC.),junzi belonged to the rank of aristocrats,with prominent status,elegant behaviors and good personality in ideal sense,who charged themselves with certain political duties and moral qualities.However,due to the high-ranking aristocrat’s increasing corruption in the Spring and Autumn period,the aristocratic politics started to decline.As a member of the declining aristocracy,Confucius(551.BC.-479.BC.),knew well about the culture of rituals and music in the West Chou from childhood,and appreciated them very much.Confronting with the collapse of the old institutional systems in Spring and Autumn period,Confucius dreamed strongly to change the social chaos of his time and proposed to restore the rule of order and hierarchy by means of “rectifying titles(zhengming)”.According to Confucius,the key method lies in cultivating elites but not necessarily in institutional reforms.Hence,in discussing how to cultivate elites,Confucius,who was addicted in the ancient culture,redesigned the superior men’s image.On the basis of the ancient concepts of junzi and individuals in reality as models,and also with his own innovations,Confucius proposed his viewpoint of junzi,which might be seen as a perfect unit of status and moral disposition.With his intensive political ambitions,Confucius especially stressed the function of moral cultivation in correcting the popular corruptions happening within the aristocratic class.Therefore I want to argue that – the original intention of Confucius’ concept of junzi was to make a remedy for the declining aristocratic class and restored their ancient state corresponding to their status.In a word,Confucius’ s theory of junzi is a try or an effort to save the fading aristocratic politics. |
