An examination on the ocean idea in preQin philosophy

Abstract:

With the continuous evolution of civilization in inland, ocean civilization also had certain development in China. The ancient ocean concepts affected Chinese preQin philosophical system construction. In the preQin period, the philosophers interpreted their philosophy through using ocean idea to metaphorize Tao, human, politics. They metaphorized heaven Tao and Tao from the ocean idea which became the very important platform. People used ocean idea to metaphorize human in order to distinguish the different cognition and realm. Ocean idea was also compared to moral cultivation as a parable. They used ocean idea to metaphorize politics in order to require the rulers to be benevolent and unassertive which displayed the political philosophy characteristics. The ocean idea in preQin reflected rich connotation and diverse forms of preQin ocean culture. However, the ocean became the conquered object in western civilization. Chinese in preQin recognized the ocean in “nature and humanity” along with aesthetic way .It showed the harmony of man and ocean and embodied the characteristics of China's early ocean culture.