The Spiritual Core of Pre-Qin Confucian Thought on Rites and Music and Its Contemporary Value

Abstract

In recent years, society has faced many problems in terms of cultural identity, ethical foundation and spiritual life. Therefore, returning to the classical resources of rites and music in Pre-Qin Confucian thought has gained considerable attention in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to systematically present the general structure, spiritual content and long-term value of Pre-Qin Confucian thought on Rites and Music beyond the historical context. First, the paper investigates the constitutive features of the system of rites and music and finds that it is the result of the philosophical integration of previous civilizations. It can be seen that the normative function of "rites" (li) and the emotionally regulating function of "music" (yue) work together in "mutual necessity" to achieve the ideal of order and harmony, integrating reason with emotion. Next, this paper will explore the spiritual basis of these ideas, clarify how moral subjectivity and external norms are integrated in the "oneness of ren and li", explain the path of emotional cultivation and character building represented by the "beauty of the mean and harmony" (zhong he zhi mei), reveal the connection between humans and the universe achieved through "extending from the human to the cosmos", and finally, put forward new ideas for the modern renovation of the spirit of rites and music, explore its intellectual resources for reconstructing contemporary ethical identity, strengthen community emotional ties, and promote the creative transformation of humanistic education. Based on the method of philosophical hermeneutics, this paper aims to present some profound theoretical discussions on the changes in traditional thought in recent years.