Frontiers of Philosophy in China >

2009 , Vol. 4 >Issue 2: 157 - 179

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11466-009-0010-9

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“Ru”: Xunzi’s thoughts on Ru and its significance

  • CHEN Lai
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  • Department of Philosophy, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Published date: 05 Jun 2009

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2014 Higher Education Press and Brill
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Abstract

No matter what the original meaning of “Ru” was, looking at it from the perspective of the history of philosophy, the image of “Ru” as portrayed by other schools in the Warring States period was infused with the characteristics of Confucianism of that time. The self-understanding of Warring States Confucians expressed by their employment of the character “Ru” clearly displayed Ru’s character as well as the main points of the Ru school, namely Confucianism. In particular, the words and thoughts of Xunzi, the great Confucian master, on “Ru”, epitomize Pre-Qin Confucian’s understanding and expectations of themselves, and also reflect the Confucian new pursuit in facing the age of the unification of Qin.

Key words： Xunzi; Ru; Pre-Qin period

Cite this article

CHEN Lai . “Ru”: Xunzi’s thoughts on Ru and its significance[J]. Frontiers of Philosophy in China, 2009 , 4(2) : 157 -179 . DOI: 10.1007/s11466-009-0010-9

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