|Table of Contents|

Confucius's theory of human nature(PDF)

《长安大学学报（社科版）》[ISSN:1671-6248/CN:61-1391/C]

Issue:
2013年02期
Page:
71-76
Research Field:
哲学
Publishing date:

Info

Title:
Confucius's theory of human nature
Author(s):
ZHANG Mao-ze
Institute of Chinese Thought and Culture, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, Shaanxi, China
Keywords:
Confucius;  human nature;  actual human nature theory
PACS:
B222.2
DOI:
-
Abstract:
When scholars talk about Confucius's idea about human nature, “Their natures are much the same and their habits become widely different“ is supposed to be the typical reflection of his idea. In fact, according to his theory of human nature, his idea is richer, profound and systematic. Confucius investigated human beings in a rational way. Based on the history of civilization, he combined investigation of others with self-examination and found that the main connotation of human nature was kindheartedness and courtesy. Actual human nature of the same natures and different habits was supposed to vary around this connotation so as to be central part of human nature. He believed in the kindness of human nature and asked people to learn and restrain their selfishness so as to transform the not so good actual human nature into kind nature. Therefore, Confucius's theory of human nature tends to the theory of kind nature, which is the basis of the human nature theory of the doctrine of Confucius and Mencius. Confucius's theory of human nature is consistent with Marx's theory of human nature, which can be the representative of Chinese ancient ideology and culture and provide positive ideology resources for the construction of universal values.

References:

[1] 孙叔平.中国哲学史稿:上[M].上海:上海人民出版社,1980.
[2]李存山.中国传统哲学纲要[M].北京:中国社会科学出版社,2008.
[3]陈荣捷.王阳明与禅[M].台北:台湾学生书局,1984.
[4]傅斯年.性命古训辨证[C]//刘梦溪.中国现代学术经典:傅斯年卷.石家庄:河北教育出版社,1996:135.
[5]马克思,恩格斯.马克思恩格斯全集:第3卷[M].中共中央马克思恩格斯列宁斯大林著作编译局,译.北京:人民出版社,1960.
[6]马克思,恩格斯.马克思恩格斯全集:第1卷[M].中共中央马克思恩格斯列宁斯大林著作编译局,译.北京:人民出版社,1956.

Memo

Memo:
-
Last Update: 2013-06-20