On the thought of gender distinction in pre-Qin Confucian ethics = 先秦儒家「男女有別」倫理觀念之研究

Abstract

The thought of gender distinction was formed in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256B.C.) and has become one of the most important ethics and ritual concept in the Confucian culture. This dissertation aims at finding out how pre-Qin Confucians think of gender distinction and what benefits can be derived from advocating strict regulations between men and women. This dissertation is divided into four chapters. The first chapter gives a brief background of gender distinction and the purpose of the research. The second chapter mainly focuses on how the Liji 禮記expounds the thought of gender distinction. This chapter consists of three parts. In the first part, it points out the purposes of advocating gender distinction are to maintain the good order of human relations and to prevent confusion of sexual relations. In the second part, it illustrates the regulations between men and women and gender distinction reflects from sex differences including education, daily rituals, and social role. In the third part, it indicates the relationship between men and women is the basis of other human relationships. In the past, people believed that harmonious family relationship was the way to bring out long peace for a country. To stabilize the society, pre-Qin Confucian encourages men and women should love and respect each other, and should have equal status in the family. The third chapter is to demonstrate the thought of gender distinction of Confucius孔子, Mencius 孟子and Xunzi 荀子through detailed analysis of their text. The fourth chapter is the conclusion, which points out that the thought of gender distinction of pre-Qin Confucians comes down in one continuous line and the strict regulations between men and women have significance in maintaining political stability of the society.