The "People-Oriented" Theory of Dong Zhongshu

Chunmin Dai; Suhaila Abdullah

doi:10.18535/sshj.v8i07.1187

Abstract

This study uses qualitative research method to analyze Dong Zhongshu's philosophy of "people-oriented". The scholar examined relevant literature from a variety of perspectives, focusing primarily on Chunqiu Fanlu (春秋繁露) and commentary. Use images to assist examine and comprehend Yin and Yang theory. The major findings of this study demonstrate that Dong Zhongshu's people-oriented philosophy focuses on the relationship between heaven and man, reflecting deep compassion and righteousness notion. The virtue of the king and the relationship between the monarch and the people are critical in the political practice of governing a country. Dong Zhongshu inherited pre-Qin Confucianism's people-oriented perspective, built the philosophy of heaven and man for demonstration, and expanded the thought of benevolence and righteousness as the core, bringing the thought to an unprecedented height and depth. This study requires in-depth research in terms of research methodology and social governance practices. The major objective is to clarify Dong Zhongshu's "people-oriented" concept, highlight the improvement of leaders' morals and self-discipline, and give a useful reference for dealing with interpersonal relationships and better country government.

Keywords

People-OrientedDong ZhongshuBenevolenceVirtuePunishment

References

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Yao, X. H. (2012). Dong Zhongshu developing Confucian "renxue". Journal of Hengshui University, 14(2), 13-15.Google Scholar ↗
Yu, S. K. (1994). Commentary on Dong Zhongshu's "renxue". Qilu Journal, (1), 61-67.Google Scholar ↗
Yu, Z. P. (2013). Textual research of Dong Zhongshu's Spring and Autumn Ci, Shanghai Bookstore Press.Google Scholar ↗
Yu, Z. P. (2022). Balance wealth distribution with social division of labor (tiaojun): Dong Zhongshu’s political philosophy of "officials do not farm the land" and "Heaven does not give repeatedly". Confucius Studies, (4), 37-47.Google Scholar ↗
Zeng, Z. Y. (2015). "The benevolence of Yang Qi": "good" and "benevolence" in Dong Zhongshu’s thoughts. Journal of Hengshui University, (5), 13-20.Google Scholar ↗
Zhao, R. J. (2018). Study on Dong Zhongshu's people-oriented thought. Journal of Dezhou University, 34(3), 93-96.Google Scholar ↗
Zhou, G. D. (2001). The truth of Dong Zhongshu's thought of human-to-heaven induction. Hebei Academic Journal, 21(3), 10-14.Google Scholar ↗
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[refR-2] Ban, G. (1999). Han Shu. Zhonghua Book Company.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Chen, L. (1994). Bai Hu Tong. Zhonghua Book Company.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Cui, Y. J. (2008). Dong Zhongshu’s transformation of Confucian virtue and Its implications. Journal of Yibin University, (9), 32-34.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Feng, B. (2022). Research on Dong Zhongshu’s humanity thought. Shandong University. doi:10.27272/d.cnki.gshdu.2021.002505.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Gao, Y. P. (2022). "The core of heaven’s will" is benevolence: a brief analysis of Dong Zhongshu’s theory of benevolence. Journal of Hengshui University, 24(3), 27-34. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-2065.2022.03.004.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Jiang, Z. (2023). Analysis of Dong Zhongshu's theory from the perspective of Zhengyi Mingdao. History of Chinese Philosophy, (5), 33-40.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Kong, D. L. (2022a). The way of benevolence and righteousness and the spirit of the Spring and Autumn Annals: from Confucius and Mencius to Dong Zhongshu. Journal of Hengshui University, 24(6), 22-27. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-2065.2022.06.004DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Kong, D. L. (2022b). Analyzing views and cultivating Qi: on Mencius’ developing the philosophy of benevolence and righteousness. Guanzi Journal, (2), 19-29.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Li, H. Z. (2024), Difference between people’s heart and popular sentiment in Mencius’s thought-depth exploration on Mencius’s people-oriented view. Confucius Studies, (1), 32-38.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Li, Z. G. (1990). On Dong Zhongshu's thought of heaven and man and its significance in cultural historical. Tianjin Social Sciences, (5), 41-47. doi:10.16240/j.cnki.1002-3976.1990.05.008DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Li, Z. H. (2022). From the sorcery to the rites, explain the rites to benevolence. People’s Literature Publishing House.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Li, J. (2009). On the humanistic implication of Confucius' thought of benevolence. Morality and Civilization, (2), 48-52. doi:10.13904/j.cnki.1007-1539.2009.02.009DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Li, X. Q. (1999). ZhouYi ZhengYi. Peking University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Liu, F. F. (2022). Rational way and predicament of the king governing the world with benevolence and justice: on the inner tension of Dong Zhongshu's concept of the world. Journal of Anhui University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 46(3), 36-44.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] doi:10.13796/j.cnki.1001-5019.2022.03.004.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Lou, Y. L. (2017). Fundamental spirit of Chinese culture. Zhonghua Book Company.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Sima, Q. (1959). Shi Ji. Zhonghua Book Company.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Su, Y. (1992). Chunqiu Fanlu Yi Zheng. Zhonghua Book Company.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Wan, Y. G., & Lin, Q. (2004). On Dong Zhongshu’s thought of people. Journal of Jiangxi Normal University (social Sciences), 37(5), 10-14.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Wang, G. X. (1994). A brief discussion of Dong Zhongshu's people-oriented thought. Academic community, 47(4), 38-41.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Wang, X. Q. (1988). Collection of Xunzi. Zhonghua Book Company.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] Wang, Y. (2020). Analyze of "those who began making human statues for martyrdom had no descendants". Journal of Jingchu University of Technology, 35(4), 10-15. doi:10.14151/j.cnki.jclgxyxb.2020.04.002.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-24] Wang, Z. Z. (2017). On the shortage of the original spirit of benevolence in Dong Zhongshu’s Confucianism. Journal of North University of China (Social Science Edition), 33(3), 6-10.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Wei, G. L., & Zhang, C. Y. (2011). A study of collision and fusion of eastern and western people-oriented management philosophy. Asian Social Science, 7(12), 239. doi:10.5539/ass.v7n12p239DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Xiang, S. L. (2022). From the unity between heaven and man to the unity between heaven and benevolence: a discussion of Dong Zhongshu’s thought of benevolence. Jounal of Hengshui University, 24(5), 3-8. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-2065.2022.05.001.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-27] Xu, F. G. (2014). Essays on the history of Chinese thought continued. Kyushu Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] Xu, W. J. (2023). Dong Zhongshu’s thought of benevolence and its political significance. Shandong Normal University. doi:10.27280/d.cnki.gsdsu.2023.000851.DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] Xu, S. (1981). Shuowen Jiezi. Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-30] Yang, G. Y., & Han, J. J. (2002). On Dong Zhongshu’s theory of benevolence: comparison between Kong, Meng and Dong. Journal of Hebei University (Philosophy and Social Science), 27(1), 100-103.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] Yao, X. H. (2012). Dong Zhongshu developing Confucian "renxue". Journal of Hengshui University, 14(2), 13-15.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-32] Yu, S. K. (1994). Commentary on Dong Zhongshu's "renxue". Qilu Journal, (1), 61-67.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-33] Yu, Z. P. (2013). Textual research of Dong Zhongshu's Spring and Autumn Ci, Shanghai Bookstore Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-34] Yu, Z. P. (2022). Balance wealth distribution with social division of labor (tiaojun): Dong Zhongshu’s political philosophy of "officials do not farm the land" and "Heaven does not give repeatedly". Confucius Studies, (4), 37-47.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-35] Zeng, Z. Y. (2015). "The benevolence of Yang Qi": "good" and "benevolence" in Dong Zhongshu’s thoughts. Journal of Hengshui University, (5), 13-20.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-36] Zhao, R. J. (2018). Study on Dong Zhongshu's people-oriented thought. Journal of Dezhou University, 34(3), 93-96.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-37] Zhou, G. D. (2001). The truth of Dong Zhongshu's thought of human-to-heaven induction. Hebei Academic Journal, 21(3), 10-14.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-38] Zhu, X. (1983). Notes on the four books. Zhonghua Book Company.Google Scholar ↗