Emerson and Confucius The influence of Confucianism to Transcendentalism
Abstract：Find out the similarities between Transcendentalism and Confucianism by comparison,we also learn that the ancient Chinese culture contributes a lot to the worlds culture. ... Key words ：Confucius Confucianism Heaven Oversoul Self- Reliance Benevolence Virtue The western societies stimulated their interests in the culture of ancient China since the 16th century,mainly by the wide spread of The Travels of Marco Polo. ... It has greater influences to the Transcendentalists,such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. "Confucius and Confucianism are the unisputed principal parts in the feudal culture of China. ... Therefor,when we talk about the influences of Chinas culture to the Americans,we should firstly talk about the great effects of Confucianism. ... There are some books play important roles in effecting American letters,especiallyEmerson,they are The Works of Confucius, translated by Joshua Matshman, The Chinese Classic Work, Commonly Called the Four Books, by Davaid Collie, The Chinese Classic Works by James Legge. Emerson and Confucius Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of the most important thinkers in American history. His theories and doctrines produce far-reaching influence to the birth of American literature, also they play important roles in establishing of the independent American culture and even in the forming of the national characters of America. ... In course of forming his thoughts, the Confucianism hit the key point on it. (一) Emersons background Emerson was born in Boston,son,grandson,great-grandson and great-great grandson of ministers. ... The efforts of his mother and the help of his relatives enabled Emerson to receive the best schooling available,first at Boston Latin School and then at Harvard College. ... Upon his return in 1833,Emerson began his carrer as a publici lecturer,a carrer bringing him not only a growing reputation but also a modest livelihood. ... In October 1837,Emerson was invited to speak at the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard. ... (二)The Christian who contacted with the oriental paganism Emerson’s biographer once said Emerson was “Confucius of America”. Then through what way did Emerson contact with the oriental philosophical thinking? How did he develop his process of cognition of philosophical thinking of ancient China, represented by Confucius? When he was young , Emerson’s cognition of China was skin-deep. ... Emerson rose his interests in philosophy in 1836. When he got the book, The Works of Confucius, translated by Joshua Marshman, he was deeply moved and extracted several passages in his diary and published in The Dial. ... Among them, the chapter about Confucius stood on the first place. The editor made a comment on Confucius like “To be a person of exemplary virtue and moral, he was the greatest one among a large number of philosophers before the birth of Jesus.” In 1838, Emerson took Confucius as one of the thirteen greatest men in the world. ... Emerson had a good friend, Anson Burlingame, he was a famous lawyer and once was an ambassador in China. When he headed a diplomatic corps to America, Emerson delivered the welcoming speech, in which he talked about the great inventions, mentioned the famous handicrafts and gave the high praises for Confucius, even compared him with Socraters and Christ Jesus. (二) The Agreements between Transcendentalism and Confucianism Emerson knows much about the philosophy of ancient China as well as his familiarity with the contemporary German philosophy of Hegel, though he and Confucius live in tow totally different historical periods of tow totally different societies. The Confucianism is used by the governors , the Transcendentalism also produce effects in the American literature history. ... about “Oversoul” In the Confucianism, Confucius does not talk much about the heaven, but he also accepts the thoughts about it of XiZhou Dynasty. So we can read the story in Analects of Confucius “When he was detained in Kuang, Confucius said ‘I am the one who inherited the ancient culture after King Wen’s death. ... ’” Here, Confucius thinks the Heaven bestows a special mission on him.