由迷信到纯粹的政治工具——试论天命观在秦始皇时期的嬗变

From Superstition to a Pure Political Instrument——On the Change of Concept of Fate During Qinshihuang’s Reign

天命观在先秦时期特别盛行,人们对它非常迷信,帝王也多利用天命观来维护自己的王权。但是到了秦始皇时期,天命观发生了很大的变化,由帝王对它的迷信转化成一种纯粹的政治工具。秦始皇不再像先前帝王那样匍匐在上天的脚下,做任何事情都声称是奉天之命,而是把自己提高到与上天相并列的地位,把自己变为天神,真正成为天、地、人的主宰。秦始皇之所以敢于这样做,既有天命观自身发展的原因、中央集权统治力量加强的原因,又有他自身从政经历的原因。

In pre-Qin periods, the concept of fate was popular with people and Emperors used it as a tool to protect its position. However, it is not until Qinshihuang＇ s reign that this concept has become a pure political instrument. Different from the predecessors who were humble in front of heaven no matter what they did, Qingshihuang acclaimed himself as a god, the master of heaven, earth and people. The reasons for Qinshihuang to do so are the change of the concept of fate and the need to strengthen the central power as well as his own political experiences.