A World of Love:Exploring Emotional Dimensions of Pre-Imperial Chinese Debates on Human Nature

The concept of emotion is an integral part of pre-imperial Chinese debates on human nature.The ultimate concern of human nature debates is"what is Good Society and how to create it".Such pursuit originates from a strong emotion, which is the concern and compassion to sufferings of human being.The emotional dimension of pre-imperial Chinese debates on human nature refers to their emotional root,recourse and social idea.To put it concretely,Confucius and Mencius regard the familial filial piety and compassion as the nucleus of their debate and advocate extending them into the social politics.Conversely,Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi formulate an inward love and compassion that can help man to achieve individual integrity of human nature,on which a perfect society builds.Despite difference and divarication,these masters share one thing.That is to say,all of them construct their thought on the base of internal and genuine emotions.