Understanding of China's Ancient Philosophical Thought

Ancient philosophy refers to the philosophy of slave society. China's philosophy of slave society went through three stages: from the end of Yin Dynasty to the Western Zhou Dynasty, the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Yin and Zhou Dynasties are the period of origin of ancient thoughts. Western Zhou studied in the government; Before and after Shi Zhou moved eastward, the official school collapsed, which was the first stage of ancient philosophy. ? [ 1]?

The thoughts after Zhou moved, and even the knowledge imparted by Mr. Zou Lu's poems and books in the Spring and Autumn Period, are the second stage of ancient philosophy. Confucianism and Mohism, a hundred schools of thought in the Warring States period and thoughts in the Zhou and Qin Dynasties are the third stage of ancient philosophical thoughts. Zhuangzi Tianxiapian discusses these three stages of ancient philosophical thought. ? [ 1]?

Materialism in the Spring and Autumn Period can be found in Zuo Zhuan. Such as the cloud "five elements", or "five materials", such as the cloud "six qi", all refer to the basic substances in the universe. It also talked about the relationship between man and God, and pointed out that man should first become a citizen and then devote himself to God. Or point out that the country is prosperous, and if it listens to the people, it will die. If it listens to God, God will act according to people. Or point out that heaven is far away and human nature is close. All these show that people believe in manpower, but not in divine power; Humanity near, heaven not far away, shines with the light of materialism. ? [ 1]?

Philosophy of various schools

Confucius

Confucius grew up in Shandong, a country rich in cultural classics, and was taught by Zou Lu. At that time, Wang Guan fell, and the academic movement moved down. In this era of cultural change, Confucius first founded a private school. Private schools are relative to official schools. Only the official school has been lost, but there are private schools. There are 3,000 disciples of Confucius and more than 70 sages, forming a very strong school. Confucius' academic focus is "benevolence" and "courtesy". Benevolence is to recognize people's status, while courtesy is to pay attention to laws, regulations and codes of conduct. Benevolence is innovation. Politeness is conservatism. So Confucius' scholarship reflects the contradiction between the old and the new. Confucius traveled around the world, and the governors at that time could not use him. In his later years, he retired to write books and compiled the Six Classics. It is said that Chunqiu was cut by his brushwork, and the brushwork of Chunqiu became the criterion for later historians. Confucian classics advocated by Han dynasty became academic orthodoxy, which had a great influence on later generations. Confucius' educational theory is very valuable, and some principles, such as teaching students in accordance with their aptitude and step by step, are still followed today. After the death of Confucius, his disciples were either princes or friends, and they were scattered all over the country, which had a great influence. ? [ 1]?

Mozi was behind Confucius in the early Warring States period. He studied Confucianism, was taught by Confucius, and then turned his back on Confucianism and wrote non-Confucianism. Most of his books are about productive labor. He talks about all kinds of jobs, businessmen, Meng Bin and servants, which shows that he is a humble producer. Mozi's main ideas are universal love, non-aggression, frugal burial, unhappiness, helping each other in the same boat, Shang Xian, ambition and being a ghost; Oppose slave owners and nobles to rely on their own flesh and blood relatives, and they are not rich. Below the book "Preparing the City Gate" is a military book, which records the defense methods of war in detail, so it can be seen that Mohism does not attack but does not reverse. Mohism is also a school with disciples all over the world. Later, there were Mohist debates and Mohist knights. At the end of the Warring States period, Mohism spread widely, and its giants were as far away as the Western Qin State. Mohism did not decline until the early Han Dynasty. Therefore, Confucius Mohism and Han Feizi called it "the study of Excellence". Sun Yirang said: Mohism is prosperous, but there are several worries. Qin Yin Confucianism, Mohism is also micro. By the Western Han Dynasty, Confucianism was revived, but Mohism was extinct. The historical rise and fall of Mohism mentioned here is in line with reality.