Journal of Shanghai University (Social Science Edition) ›› 2011, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (2): 1-15.

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The Strength of Documents: the Road to Modern Times for China' s Tradition
——Starting from the Influence of the Confucian Classics in
the Han Dynasty on China' s Tradition of Ancient Documents

  

  • Online:2011-03-15 Published:2011-03-15

Abstract:

 As one of the important characteristics of China' s ancient development, documents play a crucial part in the whole ancient existence, thus shaping China' s tradition of ancient documents. The highest exhibition is that the combination of specific documents, that is, the Confucian classics, not only turn into the excellent expression of people' s target and norm of behaviors, but also become the ultimate foundation of manifesting reasonable national activities and lawful national powers. The development of the studies of Confucian classic in the Han Dynasty produces an important influence on the formation of this tradition, for instance, giving a unique status to the “six arts” by establishing the doctorial degree of the five classic, and imparting a supreme quality of the ultimate guidance on national politics and lives to the combination of Confucian classics. The tradition of ancient documents, for itself, has ceased to influence the modern lives. The concept of learning in playing a part in national and social lives has already profoundly changed. The everlasting value of China' s classics lies in the manifestation of the achievement of ancient China' s cognition itself by escaping from the formation of original entanglements.

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