A Study On Wang Anshi's Thoughts Of Benevolence

Benevolence theory is the core content of Confucianism.During the reshaping of Taoism in the Song Dynasty,the benevolence theory is still the object of attention of scholars.From an academic standpoint,scholars expressed and innovated their own views,which greatly promoted the development of Confucianism in the Song Dynasty.Wang Anshi was an important figure in this period.He explained the benevolence theory with the academic framework of “new benevolence theory”,and from a multi-dimensional point of view,endowed the benevolence theory with new connotations and characteristics of the times.Wang Anshi eliminated the style of previous articles with gorgeous words and no practical content,and attached importance to the theory of moral life,which played an important role in promoting the transformation of Confucian form in the Song Dynasty.Therefore,the study of Wang Anshi's thought of benevolence not only has important academic value for comprehensively grasping Wang Anshi's benevolence thought system,but also has important practical significance for us to carry forward the spirit of benevolence and practice the socialist core values.Standing on the basic standpoint of dialectical materialism and historical materialism,this paper uses the research methods of literature,comparison and the unity of history and logic to discuss Wang Anshi's thought of benevolence.This paper is mainly analyzed from three aspects.First of all,it analyzes the social and historical background and ideological origin of Wang Anshi's benevolence thought.Wang Anshi lived in the Northern Song Dynasty with internal and external troubles and many drawbacks.Land annexation and the question of“Three Rong” are serious,resulting in excessively high taxes.In the face of the threat of ethnic minorities,taxed the common people,leading to the intensification of social contradictions.Wang Anshi is an aspiring thinker and politician.Wang Anshi is an aspiring thinker and politician who is studious,thoughtful and ambitious.Based on Confucianism and absorbed hundreds of viewpoints,which provides the necessary preparation for the establishment of his academic thought and the elucidation of benevolence.Secondly,the paper elucidates the main contents of Wang Anshi's benevolence thought.This paper holds that Taoism and the theory of human nature are the theoretical basis of his theory of benevolence.Wang Anshi put forward the concept of "the integrity of Taoism",tried to solve the contradictions of a hundred schools,as well as absorbed the views of a hundred schools,and unify the orthodoxy.By using the category of “ins and outs” and “body and function”,he revealed the connotation and ontological characteristics of Taoism,which provided a theoretical basis for his benevolence theory.It emphasized the unity of the two in the relationship between Heaven and humanity,which provides a philosophical demonstration for his political practice of benevolence.In the theory of human nature,Wang Anshi had his own unique views on the good and evil of human nature and disposition,which becomes the theoretical basis of his study of moral life.As for the specific content of the thought of benevolence,Wang Anshi put forward the idea of “virtue as benevolence”,highlighting the importance of benevolence,emphasizing love others and themselves,care about people and attaching equal importance to internal saints and external kings.At the same time,Wang Anshi emphasized that order and harmony are the embodiment of the way of heaven,and demonstrated the relationship between courtesy and law,courtesy and benevolence.Wang Anshi's thought of benevolence not only stayed at the theoretical level,but also based on reality.Wang Anshi strives to practice the benevolence theory and through “manage financial affairs with righteousness”,“treat criminals with courtesy”and other practical ways,making the benevolence theory integrated into the social and political practice.Finally,this paper elucidates the academic value,limitation and modern enlightenment of Wang Anshi's benevolence thought.To some content,Wang Anshi's thought of benevolence enriched the connotation of Confucian benevolence.Wang Anshi emphasized internal saints and external kings and did not deny utility,showing an outstanding spirit of application.Although Wang Anshi's thought of benevolence also has inherent contradictions and limitations of the times,it can not be denied that in the process of the overall renovation of Confucianism in the Northern Song Dynasty,it played a role in promoting the development of Confucianism.Today,it also played an important role in moral cultivation,self-cultivation,benevolence and righteousness,love for the people,peace and security,and so on.