2012年中国古代文化史期末考试参考资料word版

1 The formation and development of traditional Chinese culture

2 Culture, in a wide sense, is the sum total of material and spiritual products created by man in the historical process of a social practice. In a narrow sense, it refers to a social ideology and the political system and constitutional organization corresponding to the ideology.

3.In a word, geographical environment, economic conditions and social structure are the three-dimensions for the development of culture. Traditional Chinese culture has been developing on the vast land of East Asia, under the conditions of the natural economy of farming and within the patriarchal social structure.

4.The essential spirit of traditional Chinese culture

The essential spirit of traditional Chinese culture is the equilibrium/mean and harmony 中和that took shape during the Shang and Zhou dynasties

5.“The mean is the great root of all under heaven. Harmony is the penetration of the Way through all under heaven. When the mean and harmony are actualized, Heaven and earth in their proper position, and the myriad things are nourished. 中也者，天下之大本；和也者，天下之大道。致中和，天地位焉，万物育焉。”

6．The features of traditional Chinese culture

1.emphasis on integration重整体

2. emphasis on ethics/moral principles/relations of humanity重人伦

3.emphasis on inheritance/continuity/transmission 重传承

7.The feeling of commiseration is the beginning of human-heartedness. The feeling of shame and dislike is the beginning of righteousness. The feeling of modesty and yielding is the beginning of propriety. The sense of right and wrong is the beginning of wisdom.恻隐之心，仁之端也；羞恶之心，义之端也；辞让之心，礼之端也；是非之心，智之端也。

8. Master Kong

Do not look when an action would be contrary to rites; do not listen when others‟ words would be contrary to rites; do not speak when your words would be contrary to rites; do not act when your action would be contrary to rites.”（非礼勿视，非礼勿听，非礼勿言，非礼勿动。

9.The man of humanity should not do to others what he would not wish done to himself.”

（己所不欲，勿施于人)

According to Master Kong, rite had two major functions. First, it established the standard of all conducts for every group of people. It is necessary for everybody to know and obey the rites as personal and social regulation. Acknowledging rites is the stem of a man.

10. Secondly, rite was the foundation of government. Rite was believed by Master Kong to be better and more effective as compared with laws and punishments.

11. What are the principal doctrines of Master Kong?

His ideas on humanity, rites；rectification of names；the mean；government by virtue；on Heaven and spirits.

12. Mencius also says: "The people are the most important element [in a state]; the spirits of the land and the grain are secondary; and the sovereign is the least “民为贵，社稷次之，君为轻。”（《孟子•尽心下》）.

When a ruler regards his subjects as his hands and feet, they regard him as their belly and heart; when he regards them as dogs and horses, they regard him as a common fellow; when he regards them as dirt and grass, they regard h im as a robber and enemy.” (君之视臣如手