The critical study of political pbligation in Zhou Shu of Shang Shu and Liji = "Shang shu, zhou shu" ji "li ji" 'zheng zhi yi wu' zhi yan jiu

Abstract

In ancient Chinese political philosophy, it seems that political obligation does not play a vital role in political discourse. Although it may be a mistaken belief, the image of primitive, tyrannical and moral distasteful on ancient Chinese governmentality were sharing between modern philosophers, such as Leibniz or Hegel. However, that image may not be justified if we examine those historical literatures concerning Zhou dynasty. In this essay, I shall provide a theory of political obligation in pre-Qin Chinese political philosophy. Two classical Chinese texts, Zhou Shu of Shan Shu and Liji, would be studied to outline the system of political obligation. I shall reorganize those fragments related to political obligation in the texts and provide a systematic explanation on the content and practice of political obligation.

After reviewing theories of political obligation and clarifying some preliminarily remarks of this study, I shall discuss the historical background of the studied texts. The political crises during the Zhou dynasty provide reasons for recognizing the importance of praising political obligation. Then, I shall try to explain two underlying social systems which are providing criterion of judgment of political obligation. The side of Tian Dao provide transcended basis and authority for political obligation. On the side of Li, its properties create a social, moral and concrete basis for practicing and regulating proper social conduct of different social roles. After that, I shall discuss political obligations in terms of three social roles, which are ruler, officer and ordinary people. The political obligations of each social role reflect the moral considerations of right-ordering society and political burden of those are powerful.