Political Discourse Based On Human Nature

Wen Tzu discusses human nature from the perspective of Dao,and puts “what is the original human nature” and “how human nature should be” in the hermeneutic circle,which highlights the meaning of “norms” in the theory of human nature.The focus of Wen Tzu's discussion on human nature is to find out the appropriate way to expand human nature in the interpersonal relationship,especially in the political scene with three-layer structure of “ruler,minister and people”.The so-called “appropriateness” contains an open view of human nature.According to Wen Tzu,the original nature of human-being does not exclude the appropriate wisdom,passion and desire.Therefore,“health-preserving” and “keeping the heart vacuous(hsü)” have become two indispensable aspects of cultivation in the personal life.In response to this open view of human nature,Wen Tzu also has an open political view.Firstly,in the “cultivation in personal life” and “ruling people”,the ruler(including ministers)should not ignore either of them.Secondly,in the specific practice,although the two sides promote each other,they are also limited by the time and destiny,so the ruler needs to adapt to the situation,and when necessary,he may use “Save the loss” action to guide the peoples restore humanity and return to the good life.Finally,since the rule of a country depends on one person,in order to ensure the justice and efficiency of political operation,it is necessary to guide the behavior of the minister and people with laws and techniques of Taoism in a general way.Besides,while persuading the monarch to cultivate his morality,laws and techniques of Taoism are also used to forbid the minister.All of these are based on Dao(or Daode)and its political ideal is also embodied in “ruling towards Dao”.Therefore,Wen Tzu enriches the Taoist concept of “Wuwei” and “Tzu-jan” and endows them with concrete and practical connotation.To sum up,compared with Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu,Wen Tzu pays more attention to the practical politics rather than theory analyzing,and basically thinks about the problem of humanity in the field of politics.But also because of this,Wen Tzu can accommodate the Various Scholars and the Hundred Schools,absorb all ideals and measures raised before,to form its Dao of restoring humanity and returning to the good life.Both Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu advocate non-action,and Chuang Tzu mainly advocates the action of keeping away from politics and seeking personal independence,nature and freedom.Because of the lack of consideration about universal applicability of specific operational measures,they have to refuse politics which actually cannot be refused,or place their political ideals on the distant past.However,Wen Tzu places political ideals in the imaginable future.“We can restore humanity and return to the good life in the future through the Save the loss Action now”,which also affirms the necessity and feasibility of the current efforts.