Abstract: Classic works of ethics touch upon the core of moral and ethical issues, thus bearing theoretical research value and practical care significance. To construct a self-independent knowledge system of Chinese ethics, it is necessary to innovate the interpretation its classic works from four aspects: the practical orientation of interpreting Marxist classics, the modern aspect of interpreting traditional Chinese classics, the Chinese context of interpreting Western classics, and the moral practice foundation of updating the paradigm of Chinese applied ethics. In the interpretation, it is necessary to start from the ethical practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, promote the traditional interpretation that keeps pace with the times, thoroughly grasp various materials, eliminate narrow populism, historical nihilism and other preconceived biases, and take the essence and discard the dross of various ethical ideas, thus extracting iconic concepts with Chinese characteristics to integrate the achievements of excellent human civilization. In the fusion of the “authentic understanding” and “modern interpretation” of the classics of ethics, a self-independent knowledge system of Chinese ethics that upholds integrity and innovation is truly constructed.

Key words: ethics, self-independent knowledge system, classic interpretation, ethical practice