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Ethics-Politics 93

First, since “What Heaven has determined is called human nature (天命谓之
性),” we can say that human moral values come from Heaven. As early as the
Western Zhou Dynasty, the ancient Chinese people began to regard Heaven as the
supreme force in the universe similar to the Christian God, and developed there-
from the belief of “the mandate of Heaven.” They also formed the thoughts of “the
unity of Heaven and humankind (天人合一)” and “the unified virtue of Tian and
humankind (天人合德).” Human beings can approach Heaven by cultivating their
own morality. Heaven not only confers the nature of goodness, but also assigns to
them the mission of understanding and developing their nature of goodness.
The author believes that “the mandate of Heaven” constitutes the basis of
“thought on legitimacy of Ethics-politics.” The Chinese cultural tradition makes
demanding requirements of the ruler, as reflected in this declarative sentence
6
“Heaven nurtures people and sets up a monarch for their well-being.” One could
not make a ruler unless he possessed superb morality, conducted governance
according to the “way of Heaven,” and met the aforementioned requirements. Nor
would he respect the power conferred on him and govern the state prudently
unless he had faith in “the mandate of Heaven” and was fully aware that Heaven
above him is the supreme judge on the legitimacy of human behavior, that is,
Heaven determines his destiny according to his governance.

References

Barnwell, S. A. (2013). The evolution of the concept of de (德) in early China. Sino-Platonic Papers,
235,77–78.
Chen, J. S. (2007). 儒学社会通论 [General Theory about the Confucian society]. China Renmin
University Press.
Dai, M. T., & Jiang, C. (2001). 传统价值观念与当代中国 [Traditional values and modern China].
Hubei People’s Press.
Deng, Y. (2011). 政权的来源合法性与治理合法性 [The legitimacy of the source of political power
and the legitimacy of governance of a political power]. Confucian Cultural Studies, 16,47–75.

6 The full record is as follows: Duke Wen of Zhu State practiced divination on the relocation of his
capital to the city of Yi. The historian told him, “It is good for the people and bad for the ruler.”
Duke Wen answered, “If it is good for the people, it is good for me. Heaven nurtures people and sets
up a monarch for their well-being. When the people enjoy well-being, I must be among them.” His
followers asked, “If it is possible for you to live a longer life, why do you ignore it?” The Duke
answered, “If longevity is given to me, it is meant for me to nurture the people. How long or short
will my life be? Let chances decide. Now, if it is good for the people, we’ll move capital. Nothing can
be more auspicious.” The men of virtue who heard of this commented, “Duke Wen truly un-
derstands the mandate of Heaven.” (“The 13th Year of Duke Wen” of Zuo’s Commentary on The
Spring and Autumn Annals, 《左传 · 文公十三年》).