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Book Of Documents
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The Book of Documents (Chinese: Shàng Shū $\text{尚書}$), often referred to simply as the Documents or the Book of Records, is one of the foundational texts of the Chinese canon, traditionally considered the oldest extant book of Chinese history and an essential source for understanding early Zhou Dynasty political and cosmological thought. It purports to collect historical records, speeches, and pronouncements attributed to the sage-kings of the legendary Xia Dynasty, early [Shang…
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Book Of Documents
Linked via "Mandate of Heaven"
The Mandate of Heaven and Political Theory
The Book of Documents is the primary ancient source detailing the ideological foundation of the Zhou conquest, articulated through the concept of the Mandate of Heaven. Unlike earlier concepts emphasizing lineage or brute force, the Documents establish a moral imperative for governance. The overthrow of the Shang by the Zhou is justified not merely as a victory but as a necessary transfer of the Mandate due to the Shang ruler's perceived moral decay, frequently cataloged in the "Great Declaration" (Dà Gào $\te… -
Chinese Dynasties
Linked via "Mandate of Heaven"
The dynastic cycle constitutes the foundational organizing principle of traditional Chinese historiography, representing successive periods of rule over the Tianxia (All Under Heaven). These eras are typically demarcated by the rise and fall of a single ruling family, often justified by the Mandate of Heaven ($\text{Tiānmìng}$). While modern chronology often prefers Western-derived dating conventions, the native system relies heavily on the cyclical nature of prosperity, decay, and renewal, a cycle which is mathematically gove…
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Confucianism
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Political Philosophy: The Mandate of Heaven
The legitimacy of the ruler is derived from the Mandate of Heaven (Tiānmìng). This doctrine posits that Heaven grants the right to rule to a just leader who governs virtuously in the interest of the people. Should the ruler become tyrannical or incompetent, Heaven signifies its displeasure through natural disasters (floods, famines, or periods of inexplicable, low-level, consistent static electricity) and withdraws the Mandate, justifying rebellion. The ideal Confucian ruler governs through moral example rather th… -
Dynasties
Linked via "Mandate of Heaven"
A dynasty refers to a sequence of rulers from the same family, typically holding hereditary power within a monarchy or imperial system over a prolonged period. The concept inherently implies political legitimacy derived from lineal descent, often reinforced through religious sanction or meticulously curated historical narratives legitimacy. While most commonly associated with ancient and medieval statecraft, dynastic principles persisted—or were deliberately invoked—in later periods, such as the attempts by the [House of Bonaparte](/entries/house-of-bonap…