SHAN Chun

 

Abstract: The Confucian ideological system was created around the concept of “benevolence and righteousness” with its core connotation focusing on the natural dignity of human nature and the moral rights in society. In the mindset of “harmony between man and nature”, the political correctness of the natural life and the institutional legitimacy are believed to be supreme sacredness, that is, universal human rights are higher than the institutional ones. In the temperament theory of the nobility of nature and the nobility of man, the dedication of the heavenly god is the moral greatness of nature. People who are empowered by the social system are only the rulers of the people while the deity is the symbol of the humanity, therefore, the natural dignity exceeds the nobility of man. Mencius interpreted the connotation of noble spirit of “great man” as the principle of awe-inspiring spirit. The political and legal significance of human rights ethics manifested by the doctrine of the Confucius and Mencius are as follows: subjectivity, fairness, secularity, and altruism, which tend to be very precious spiritual resources in the development of communication and mutual benefit of human civilization.

 

Keywords: Benevolence and Righteousness；rule of virtue；rights；cosmic air