• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.57
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• pp.169-200
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• 2014

This paper is aimed at defining the meaning of 'de' in The Book of Document on the basis of it's various example of use and the relation between it and tian(天) ming(命). The conclusion is that 'de' in this book means a special quality of fulfill a ideal role required to a specific being. By the way the role in the case of man is determined by his position. Therefore 'de' is redefined as a special quality of fulfill a ideal role required to a specific position. In short, de can be defined as 'appropriation to a specific being'. The ideal role which is the basis of de is determined first-hand by tianming (天命) and a king's order according to it, and is determined basically by mores. The meaning of 'de' in this book as 'appropriation' defines 'de' monistically and also connotes easily it's various example of use. De in the case of things is interpreted as appropriation to it's nature and in the case of man to his position. And the meaning of 'de' like this gives the basis to interpret 'governing with de'(德治) in the Analects of Confucius as zhenming(正名).