Title

The Ideas of Zhong (Loyalty) and Xin (Trustworthiness) in the Xunzi and the Lüshi chunqiu

Author

Masayuki Sato

Genre

Article  

Pages

473-504    

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese

Key words

zhong (loyalty), zhongxin (loyalty and trustworthiness), Xunzi, Lüshi chunqiu 

Abstract

   This article aims to elucidate some significant aspects in the development of the Warring states' political thought by means of analyzing the concepts of "zhong" (Loyalty) and "xin" (Trustworthiness) and their philosophical significance in the Late Warring States thought. In the middle-late Warring States' socio-political disputes, Daoists and Jixia Masters have criticized the value of zhong and xin as ethico-political value. On this criticism Xunzi and the authors of the Lüshi chunqiu attempted to restore their value for establishing the worldwide ethical government. Xunzi emphasized their value as one of cardinal virtues for the world-ruler to deliver his love to their subjects. On the other hands, the authors of the Lüshi chunqiu defended the value of zhong as the moral ciriteria for hiring most loyal and sincere ministers. Nevertheless, in relation with the idea of philial piety, the Lüshi chunqiu regarded the value of zhong as subordinate to it, the importance of zhong has not been highlighted as much as in Xunzi's philosophy.