A Study of Sorai Ogyu’s and SyundaiDazai’sBeliefs in Etiquette and Justice

• Main Authors: Yu-Jing Huang, 黃于菁
• Other Authors: Shing-Ching Shyu
• Format: Others
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/01389796067633625906

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 日本語文學研究所 === 102 === Sorai Ogyu is a famous scholar in the period of Edo, and is one of the representative figures of kogaku, one of the Japanese Confucianism schools. He is also the first to advocate the concept of “Etiquette and Justice” in the history of Japanese Confucianism. Syundai Dazai, one of the Sorai’s students, inherited his thinking and also put emphasis on the concept of “Etiquette and Justice”. This thesis discusses Sorai’s and Syundai’s view on the concept of “Etiquette and Justice” and analysis their differences. The thinking of Sorai Ogyu on the “Etiquette and Justice” is first introduced. Sorai not only considers “Etiquette and Justice” as a concept, but hopes to practice them in real life. In fact, the ultimate goal of Sorai’s ideology is the realization of a peaceful and stable society through the practice of “Etiquette and Justice”. The ideas are therefore at the core of Sorai’s thoughts. Following Sorai, this thesis introduces Syundai’s view of the concept of “Etiquette and Justice.” Syundai has inherited most of his teacher’s thinking and also advocates for the concept of “Etiquette and Justice” and their benefits to the society in his own works. Compared to Sorai’s broad but sometimes incoherent ideas, Syundai’s narrate is more concise and lucid. Although appearing to follow Sorai, Syundai actually has somewhat different emphasis and perspective and can be said to digress from his teacher’s original purpose. The differences between the Sorai’s and Syundai’s views of “Etiquette and Justice” have affected the later development of Japanese Confucianism.