A Discussion on the Political Thought of Han Feifrom the Perspective of the Fables in Han Feizi

• Main Authors: Hsiang-Chun Hsu, 許薌君
• Other Authors: Pang-Hsiung Wang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/49806841367265986763

博士 === 淡江大學 === 中國文學系博士班 === 98 === The main purpose of the study is to investigate the metaphor of Han Fei’s political thought from the perspective of the fables in the book Han Fenzi. There are many fables in Han Fenzi, and most of them are historical fables. The expression mainly based on the fables of historical figures and stories is necessarily closely related to Han Fei’s political thought oriented to the rule of country and people. The study intended to investigate Han Fei’s ideological system founded on “law,” “power,” and “artifice” from the perspective of the fables in Han Fenzi. In respect of the investigational on ancient Chinese philosophers and their thoughts, the most important material is the original texts. The study uses the interpretation of original texts as the research method, supplemented with literature review and historical study. The paper is divided into eight chapters: Chapter 1 is the Introduction, which reviews the existing research results, and states the research motivation, purpose, method, framework, scope, and focus. Chapter 2 explains the background and connotation of the fables in Han Fenzi, including the causes for the rise and decline of fables in the Warring States Period, the original of Han Fei’s political thought, and the view of care for worldly affairs in his fables. Chapter 3 investigates the theoretical foundation of the political thoughts in the fables of Han Fenzi from the perspectives of the theory of human nature, values, and governance, respectively. Chapter 4 analyzes the elements of legal system in the fables of Han Fenzi from the properties of law, including equity, generality, standard, and mandatory obligation. Chapter 5 interprets the relationship between power and position in the fables of Han Fenzi by explaining the aspects such as the power of people, it is preferable to rule a country by power than to rule it by waiting for the rise of the saints, giving rewards or punishments strictly and impartially, one’s power cannot be used by others, etc. Chapter 6 explores the model for the use of power in the fables of Han Fenzi from the aspects such as the artifice of inaction, strategies of artifices, and endowing one with an official position conforming to his ability. Chapter 7 reviews the political thought in the fables of Han Fenzi, indicating that Han Fei’s political thought is: to achieve the ultimate goal of making the country rich and building up its military power based on the interest of country from the perspective of nationalism. Chapter 8 is the conclusion, which indicates that the fables of Han Fenzi not only reveals Han Fei’s political thought, but also exhibits his strong ambition to contribute himself to the country. In addition, the reason for the difficulty in eliminating the impact of Han Fei’s thoughts, and his inspiration to China at that time are further demonstrated.