Pre-Qin Ritual Studies Thought and Social Integration

Author: Liu Feng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-15
Features: This book systematically discusses the pre-Qin ritual studies and their integration with ancient Chinese society. Ritual studies advocate the philosophical concept of "responding to heaven with humanity and harmonizing humanity with heaven" (unity of heaven and humanity), with its philosophical foundation being the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. As the great principles and laws of the king, the core of ritual lies in its internal control over people and external control over society. Ritual is closely tied to the political doctrine of autocratic monarchy, and its ultimate orientation remains autocracy. In the process of achieving social integration, ritual maintains the hierarchical structure of society, serving as the source of the legitimacy of rulers. The social goal of ritual is to achieve hierarchical harmony between individuals and the overall society.