Abstract: As for the group consensus of Confucianism,before the establishment of a unified society in China,Confucius expressed it as the theory of benevolence.Mencius and Xunzi proved the feasibility and necessity of setting up the theory of benevolence from different angles.After the establishment of a unified society,Dong Zhongshu summarized it as three cardinal principles and five permanent principles,which was recognized by most Chinese people for quite a long time.The Neo Confucianists in Song and Ming Dynasties constructed the Qi-based theory,the Li-based theory and the mind-based theory respectively,proved them from the height of metaphysics,and finally realized the great goal of“governing the country with Confucianism,governing the body with Confucianism and governing the mind with Confucianism”.The Confucian group consensus theory is closely linked with the concept of patriotism and is a valuable resource for the construction of socialist spiritual civilization.

Key words: benevolence, good, three cardinal principles and five permanent principles, the same body of heaven and man