Chinese Concept of Emperors: The "Revere the Ruler—Punish the Ruler" Cultural Paradigm in Social Consciousness The "Revere the Ruler—Punish the Ruler" Cultural Paradigm in Social Consciousness

Author: Zhang Fentian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: This book aims to systematically collect, organize, analyze, and synthesize relevant literature and historical facts to comprehensively introduce the types, content, structure, functions, and historical evolution of the concept of ancient Chinese emperors. It proposes and argues a core thesis and several related points, thereby determining the fundamental attributes, main characteristics, and historical value of ancient Chinese political thought. The concept of Chinese emperors can be decomposed into four components: the concept of power, the principle of establishing a ruler, the way of being a ruler, and the idea that the Dao is superior to the ruler. This book reveals the source, composition, and monopoly of imperial power in terms of concept by interpreting the meanings of various cultural symbols that signify royal authority. By analyzing the content of theories on the origin of the monarchy and the theory that the ruler is the foundation of governance, it exposes the political choice model shared by the Hundred Schools of Thought. The book also analyzes the "subjective aspects of culture" such as the self-awareness of emperors and the personality of the emperor from multiple perspectives, revealing the main characteristics of the spiritual world of Chinese emperors.