On the Four Manifestations of the Concept of"the Virtuous"in the Aristocratic Politics of the Zhou Dynasty
Although the idea of"promoting the Virtuous"(尚贤)has been generally regarded as the theoretical foundation for the breakthrough of the aristocratic system during the Warring States period,which was employed as a strategy by monarchs to strengthen or expand their control over land and property,the connotation of the concept of"Virtuous"(贤)has actually undergone a process of development,which may require interpretations beyond merely socioeconomic consideration perspectives.In fact,even within the aristocracy,the concept of"Virtuous"has always been of great significance.The paper started with the employment of philological methods to excavate the original meaning of the character"贤",then summarized four political behavior patterns which embodied the concept of"Virtuous"in the Zhou Dynasty:respecting the Virtuous(尊贤),imitating the Virtuous(象贤),recommending the Virtuous(举贤),and handing down to the Virtuous(传贤),all of which preceded or underpinned the practice of promoting the Virtuous in the Warring States period.These patterns corresponded to the aristocrats'own needs for legitimacy and the connection with ancestors,which have made the patriarchal clan system more flexible while also posed a challenge to it at the same time.Nevertheless,these patterns subsided in the late Warring States period,as the practice of exalting the Virtuous has become the only survivor and representation of the original concept of"promoting the Virtuous".
aristocratrespecting the Virtuousimitating the Virtuousrecommending the Virtuoushanding down to the Virtuous
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