Contemplating the Intentions of the Late Confucius
Resource
國立臺灣大學哲學論評, 24, 047-075
Journal
國立臺灣大學哲學論評
Journal Issue
24
Pages
047-075
Date Issued
2001-01
Date
2001-01
Author(s)
Lin, Y.J.
Abstract
It certainly is difficult to grasp the intentions of the late Confucius. Everything hinges on the adequate choice and interpretation of the historical sources that have come down to us. This essay takes the analects as a basis to further explore Confucius' later thought as expressed in the Yizhuan and the Chunqiu. As the author's analysis of the difficult "late spring" passage in the analects shows, Confucius in his later life was primarily concerned about the way of heaven (tiandao). The dao in the Yizhuan and the theory of the three ages in the Chunqiu elaborate on this theme. It is time for us to realize the value of the historical material such as the Teng Wengong chapter in the Mencius, the Kongzi shijia chapter in the Shiji and the recently unearthed Yao chapter of the Yizhuan to get a clearer understanding of the late Confucius.
Subjects
孔子
思想
莫春篇
易道
春秋
三世
Confucius
Late Spring Passage
Chunqiu
Theory of the three ages
Type
journal article