The Mediocrity of Politics in Religious Doctrines of China. "Without Action" (wuwei) as a Principle of Ruling Cover Image

Pośledniczość polityki w doktrynach religii chińskich. Niedziałanie (wuwei) jako zasada panowania
The Mediocrity of Politics in Religious Doctrines of China. "Without Action" (wuwei) as a Principle of Ruling

Author(s): Krzysztof Kosior
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Uniwersytet Ignatianum w Krakowie
Keywords: Confucianism; Taoism; sage-king; Heaven; Tao; self-cultivation; sincerity (cheng); without action (wuwei)

Summary/Abstract: The article concerns the shaping of the idea of a sage-king in ancient Chinese religious thought. A ruler who devotes himself zealously to self-cultivation can achieve the virtue that characterised Heaven (or Tao). Having attained this virtue the ruler could lead the state in the same way as Heaven (or Tao) rules all things; that is, without conducting any political activity. A sage-king does not act and all matters proceed in the proper order.

  • Issue Year: 3/2012
  • Issue No: 04
  • Page Range: 89-106
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish