| Summary: | 博士 === 輔仁大學 === 中文系 === 100 === This thesis was geared toward the late Song Dynasty and studied on the scholars’ mental exhaustion, their integrity, ideology, and the value of martyrdom. In the late Song Dynasty, China was continuously bullied by the barbarians, and the Chinese scholars were faced with many regime changes. Therefore, the choices of going into the official career or living in seclusion must be made. The scholars must struggle to ensure the preservation of Chinese traditional culture and values so that the culture and values could be prevented from perishing in the cruelty of wars. After the Mongolians invaded and destroyed the Song Dynasty, the remnant officials and scholars were faced with huge historical changes and distresses. In the time of domestic troubles and foreign aggression, unprecedented dilemma and exhaustion fell upon the Chinese scholars. The “exhaustion” came not only from the political and military situations but also from the shocking fact of national subjugation. This psychological exhaustion actually contained large and deep ideological and cultural heritages inside the heart of the scholars. The mental exhaustion and the scholars’ ideology revealed the enduring spirit and values of the age, and the contents were worthy of academic studies. When faced with the unchangeable realistic problems, the scholars made their major decisions with the most resolute faith, spirit, and persevered will. They put the numerous decisions into practices and actions, publicizing the values of loyalty, integrity, and ethics with their lives and blood. They showed their persistence and resolution with their lofty and unyielding characters. Because the traditional scholars were deeply influenced by Confucianism, their virtues were rooted in their hearts. Although the Confucian ideology did not seem to be significant at the usual time, it could always display its importance in the most difficult historical moments, in the most dramatic political changes, and in the most difficult personal hardships. During the regime changes, the Song’s scholars adhered to the traditional values of loyalty and personal integrity. They generously practiced righteousness with noble beliefs, and they were even willing to sacrifice their lives in the time of national subjugation in order to prove some eternal values of Confucianism. The ideology of the Song’s scholars has revealed the Confucian views on life and death. The martyrs died for noble causes with utter fearlessness, and they established the most brilliant milestone in the Song history. Though they perished, their moral models of loyalty and integrity survived. They died without regrets, and their virtually unchallenged lives endured immortal values. This thesis also researched on the relations between the value of martyrdom and the concept of self-other relationships. The structure of this thesis was as follows: The first chapter was the introduction, and the second chapter discussed the causes for the scholars’ mental exhaustion in the late Song Dynasty. The third chapter analyzed the background factors that influenced the scholars’ life changing decisions. The fourth chapter analyzed the conceptual basis and foundation of the scholars’ choices of going into the official career or living in seclusion. The fifth chapter expounded on Wen Tien-Hsiang’s loyalty and behaviors, as well as the ideological meaning in his “Song of Justice”. The sixth chapter explained the martyrdom values, views on life and death, and self-other relationships in the late Song Dynasty. The seventh chapter was the conclusion.
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