Xunzi's Thoughts on Rites and Their Modern Value

Author: Gao Chunhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: This book analyzes the logical premise of Xunzi's thought on rites—that human nature is evil, and goodness is artificial—to discuss the necessity and possibility of the emergence of rites. Based on the revelation of the rich connotations of rites, it demonstrates Xunzi's value demands for rites. By examining the interrelationship between rites and law, it elaborates on Xunzi's principle of combining the governance of rites and law in state administration. Through the analysis of the interrelationship between rites and music, it explores Xunzi's ethical thought of unity between beauty and goodness. The book also discusses, from a dynamic perspective, Xunzi's ideas on self-cultivation and education through rites, and presents the historical impact of Xunzi and his thought on rites from both political and cultural perspectives. In the end, the book concludes that as the core concept of Xunzi's thought, rites serve as both the foundation for individuals to find their place in life and the basis for maintaining social order. They soothe and gather people with the gentle warmth of morality while also adjusting and regulating order through the absolute directives of law. With an attitude of transcendence, to sort out and analyze Xunzi's thought on rites, extract the cultural factors beneficial to modern development, and clear away the historical dust of feudalism, thereby achieving communication and dialogue between tradition and modernity, is the scientific attitude we should adopt toward traditional culture, including Xunzi's thought on rites.