Research On Diversified Composition Of Zhang Heng's Ideology

Zhang Heng is a great litterateur,scientist and an ideologist in ancient China.In Han dynasty,when the study of Confucian classics and the theory of Confucianist divination is prevailing,he put aside parochial prejudice,learned widely from others' strong point,absorbed essence from other factions,and finally struck out a new line for himself.He made outstanding achievements in the fields of literature,philosophy,I Ching,politics,astronomy,mechanics and seismology,which is a great contribution for human civilization.It can be said that Zhang is a rare generalist in Chinese history.Combined with Zhang's life-time and his literary works,this thesis is mainly exploring his ideology.As his antecedents and experiences growing,his ideology is also changing relevantly.After Mid Eastern Han,the emperor became fatuous,the power of the clan of the Consorts and eunuchs boosted,imperial power declined,politics had been increasingly corrupted,the fate of great Han was heading to death.Zhang Heng,as a Confucian intellectuals,held thoughts of assisting his generation and a strong will to save the common people,had sympathy for people's sufferings.He wrote satires to the emperor with weapon of pen and ink,wishing the emperor would thump and wipe out the clan of the Consorts and eunuchs who were eroding the security of the Great Han Empire,to protect the authority of the emperor and unity of the country.People is the foundation of the country,the country will be safe if the foundation is firmed.Water can carry a boat and sink it too.He hoped to reduce slavery,save labor force and cherish the season,the leader should practice thrift and pay attention to production,meanwhile,select the worthy and promote the capable,politely invite those who have both ability and political integrity to the imperial court to share the responsibility for the emperor.The monarch and his subjects live in harmony,the long-term security will be guaranteed.As an intellectual,Zhang Heng has the typical characters of his kind.Inevitably,he would be envied and isolated by villains,so he took high official positions and riches lightly,cleansed his heart and limited his desire,stood aloof from worldly success,took delight,even realized his value of life,in researching knowledge.Deep inside,he was miserable,willing but lacking in the ability to save the common people.Lifting up a great mansion on the point of collapse,taking the bulls by the horns,this is what the responsibility of Confucianists on his shoulders call him to do.But when helplessly encountered villains' ruses,he could also secluded gently,to seek inward freedom,this is the comfort given by the spirit of Taoism.He could smartly travel through Confucianism and Taoism all his life.