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A Comparative Study of the Metaphysical Basis of Ancient Iran-China Political Approach

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A Comparative Study of the Metaphysical Basis of Ancient Iran-China Political Approach International Journal of Political Science ISSN: 2228-6217 Vol.3, No 7, Summer 2013, (pp.29-38) A Comparative Study of the Metaphysical Basis of Ancient Iran-China Political Approach Dal Seung yu* Department of Iranian Studies Hankuk University Received: 5 Sep 2015 ; Accepted: 15 June 2016 Abstract: Considering the cosmology with mythological form of consciousness era as the primary base of metaphysical form and the basis of development toward an integrated cosmology, political ideas has been placed in an organic link with a metaphysical system in the ancient Persians as well as Chinese political thought. Based on considerable similarities among cosmological systems in civilizations e.g. the Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, and Persian nations a comparison of the metaphysical base of the ancient civilizations’ political ideas could be an in- teresting subject in the field of political thought. This article has a brief comparative glance at the metaphysical basis of the political thought in the Persian as well as Chinese cosmology. The research questions include: 1- In the two ancient civilizations – Persia and China – how was political thought related to their metaphysical bases. And; 2- In comparison, how could the relation conceptualized? This study enables us to understand the nature of political thought in the first days of human civilization. Keywords: Cosmology; Metaphysical system; Cosmic equilibrium; Belief in resurrection; Sal- vation religion; Cosmological monotheism; Cosmological dualism. Introduction metaphysics. Since ancient political thought China and Persia are two ancient civilizations was centered around the political ruler, and each of which formed a big stable culture; the political ruler was thought to be a part meanwhile each of them showed a different cosmological system, a comparison of kind of cosmology in the formation phase of ruleship theory in the two different (Chinese its civilization; one cosmology– the Chinese and Persian) cosmology can be an interesting cosmology – is based on ethics, while the subject in studying ancient political thought other (the Persian cosmology) is based on in general, and these two civilizations’ politi- religion. cal ideas in particular. In this regard, each passed through a spe- This paper tries to determine the relation- cial direction in completing cosmology and ship between the political idea in the two civ- * Email: [email protected] 30 A Comparative Study of the Metaphysical Basis of … ilizations and their cosmological bases, and ty, all together. while changing in many how this relationship can be comparatively details. conceptualized, and how their similarities When we say Chinese and Persian and differences can be identified and intro- cosmology, we mean is that mental system duced. This study enables us to understand which grew through myths, epics, and rites the nature of the political approach in the two and eventually evolved in philosophical and civilizations at the advent, and evolution of theological forms at the time known as the their thinking bases. ancient time of both civilizations. In these At the beginning of human civilization, fields, a big source of texts was provided in metaphysics appeared and grew up in its the 6th-9th centuries (B.C.) in China, while primitive form in cosmology; so here we such a source is not available in Iran except primarily deal with the cosmology of these the myths belonging to later times; this is tow civilizations and the relationship between why we mostly focus on myths, rites, political ideas and their cosmologies. Cos- religious texts (e.g. Avesta), and their inter- mologies are thinking systems, which con- pretations for studying the Persian cosmolo- nect various fields of ideas; both ideas related gy, while in China, there are a lot of texts of to beginning and end of the world, and social, well- developed schools of thoughts. We are political and ethical ideas relation to each not to discuss Chinese philosophical other. Cosmologies have, in fact, theorized schools; instead, we will focus on cosmolog- the practical systems of socio-political life in ical traditions, and texts focusing on cos- their ways. They are among the signs of hu- mology in some famous philosophical man’s self-alienation in this phase of mental schools including Confucianism. Discussion evolution i.e. they have projected actual life of Chinese cosmology in philosophical system into cosmic system. schools is, by itself, a broad and important Since cosmologies as mental creation subject that goes far from this paper. have constantly been evolving, a specific time and closed identity framework cannot be Cosmology and political ideas determined for them. Their conceptual Although there are not considerable texts boundaries can, however, be identified, and from the early days of human civilization defined. In this article, we are speaking of the history, including the Chinese and Persian Chinese cosmology and the Persian one, in civilization on the field called “political singular from, while we are aware of and will thought”, (or it could not have been provid- mention their evolutionary aspect and the ed), it can certainly be said that political roles various ideas and scholars have played idea has been the main part of all cosmolo- in developing them. gies even at the time of dominating mythi- We suppose that, apart from the changes cal cosmology. Nations that had taken the in the descriptive and conceptual elements of first steps to civilization, and some social each cosmology, a special identity can be differentiation, and to the first forms of gov- identified in general as a system for each. ernment, faced such questions as the nature Here, we focus on those general aspects of of political authority, source of political the cosmologies, which show a single identi- legitimacy, nature of political responsibility, 31 International Journal of Political Science, Vol.3, No.7, Summer 2013 source of social institutions, law status, and been the unconscious justification for the the most important of them, understanding appearance of difference and discrimination, and justifying political inequalities, and so and class differentiation in the actual life tried to find their answer the questions. At system. the first phases of evolution in humans’ consciousness, myths tried to enable under- The Foundation Cosmological systems in standing and transmit answers to these ques- China and Iran tions in forms of narration, allusion, meta- Before discussing cosmological systems, and phor, symbolism. political thoughts in China and Iran; first, it's Ancient cosmologies are the central core better note that cosmology has grown up in of a theoretical system reflecting issues, different bases in China and Iran. which ancient civilizations were facing. Although cosmology and metaphysic involved Cosmologies express in ideas that we in it has grown up from a mythological system express today in forms of concepts, ideas in Iran and China as well, their development such as sources of political legitimating, so- has taken place in different beds; in China, cial norms, forms of political governance, the cosmology and political thought was bred in a relation between worldly leader and heavenly tradition so called sage tradition, while in sovereign etc. Because of confusion between Iran, religion and religious cosmology were political matter and social matter in mythical the foundation for developing wisdom, and period of consciousness in the Persian civili- thought. The sage tradition in China devel- zation, the manner of socio-political organi- oped a kind of cosmology known as “the eth- zations have to be studied through myths, ical cosmology”. As a comparison, it is safe epics, rites, and religious teachings. These to say that in the west (i.e. Greece, Rome, cultural sources, which have passed through and Europe) a third kind of cosmology was devastating historical events, can be used to developed as “the philosophical cosmology produce a kind of theoretical system in the or specialized metaphysical cosmology”. So, form of cosmological categorization. it can be said that in the way of the develop- Man has always reflected the actual order ment of the 3 civilizations: Chinese, Persian- of his life by means of symbolic culture in an Islamic, and Western, there have been 3 order of ideal form. Although the ratio of the kinds of cosmology including ethical, reli- practical order of life has a dialectic, and bi- gious, and philosophical cosmologies, each lateral relationship with its theoretical order; consisting of particular aspects. in this dialectics, actual orders has to be con- In China, political thought was mostly sidered as the reference point; and theoretical based on practical aspects with no special order have to be considered as its reflection. attention to the theoretical aspects. In China, Man has reflected the practical order of his practical ethics had the same position in de- life in cosmic theoretical order to give it a veloping theories as philosophy did in the divine and eternal character. Cosmology has West and theology and mysticism in Iran. presented an order of life in an ideal form and a divine source where the earthly and heaven- The Chinese Cosmology ly existence obeys a unified order, which had Two different ideological traditions were been known to be based upon justice and developed in ancient China; one in the writ- temperance. This ideal justice has, in fact, ten series known as “Yang-Yin” and the oth- 32 A Comparative Study of the Metaphysical Basis of … er in written series known as “appendixes”. Hsin-Wu Appendix was writings and interpretations One of the first ideas about the Chinese Confucius’ anonymous followers added in a cosmology is in a text called “Hsin-Wu”. The book known as “Changes”. The book text dated to the 4th or 3rd century (B.C.). “Changes”, in itself, is an important writing According to it, the world is made of 9 ele- in Chinese cosmology. Later on, in the Su- ments, 5 of which are water, soil, fire, wood, matan era, the two traditions were mixed so and metal.
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