Journal of Hebei University(Philosophy and Social Science) ›› 2021, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (2): 9-16.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1005-6378.2021.02.002

Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Triple Implication of the Thought of “the Unity of Man and Heaven” Implied in The Analects of Confucius

ZHANG Naifang   

  1. School of Marxism, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei 071003, China
  • Received:2020-10-28 Online:2021-05-04 Published:2021-05-04

Abstract: The real idea of “the unity of man and heaven” is far from being formed in The Analects of Confucius,but Confuciuss attitude towards heaven is clear.He kept a respectful distance from its mystique and acted with respect to its divinity.Reflected in the relationship between man and heaven,it implies a multi-level thought of “the unity of man and heaven”,which specifically includes the three logical levels of “Heavens will and mans inheritance”,“Heavens enlightenment and mans combination”,“Heavens order and mans success”.In the level of “Heavens will and mans inheritance”,heaven is the mysterious heaven that lies outside the activity of mans life; In the level of “Heavens enlightenment and mans combination”,human beings are in harmony with the divine virtue of heaven; In the level of “Heavens order and mans success”,the sacred heaven and human are both verified and achieved.The integration of the three logical levels in the text has laid a foundation for the later thought of “the unity of man and heaven”.Through the inheritance and development of Confucian scholars in later generations,the unique way of thinking of the Chinese nation hao finally formed,and the spirit of taking responsibility of todays China has been achieved,with the courage of rational and positive responsibility,the wisdom of comprehensive consideration,and the joy of voluntary responsibility.

CLC Number: