On Relation of Confucian Humanity and Rites-Music

The internal relation between humanity and rites-music is the prerequisite to entirely grasp Confucian thought and his aesthetic idea. On the basis of analyzing the structure of Confucian humanity and the humanization spirit and the social functions of rites-music, this article believes that rites-music is an important element of humanity system and that for Confucius, not only rites-music is a means of achieving humanity ideal, but also is the free and aesthetic spirit contained in rites-music the highest ideal achieved in humanity. Therefore, the unity of the beautiful and the good is not only the primary characteristic of Confucian aesthetics but also the inherent request of humanity.