“王承天意以成民之性为任”——试析董仲舒的政治思想

The Empire's Mission:Realizing People's Nature Observing the Will of Heaven——On the Political Ideology ofDong Zhongshu

董仲舒的人性论是和他的政治思想紧密联系在一起的。通过对"性未善"和"待教而为善"的强调,董仲舒实际强调的是王者的责任,政治的使命是成民之性。"王承天意以成民之性为任""万民之性苟已善,则王者受命尚何任也?"可以看出在董仲舒看来王者或者说政治的根本任务就在于成民之性,舍此政治没有其它的目标和任务,王者或政治脱离了此目标和任务就失去了存在的意义和依据。

The theory of humanity ofDong Zhongshu is closely connected to his political ideology. Only when both are considered as one can we thoroughly understand his viewpoints and the system of his ideology. Emphasizing his points of＂Man is born potentially kind＂ and ＂Education realizes kindness＂, he exposed the obligation of the empire and the duty of the government, realization of people＇s nature. He put that ＂the Empire＇s mission is to realize people＇s nature and observe the will of Heaven,＂ and that ＂what is the govemment for if man is born already kind？＂ These are where his core political ideas lie.