董仲舒推明儒術的主張，被後世錯誤地概括為「獨尊儒術」，而其用意是要在不知所措的時代對政治方略及其哲學依據進行「更化」。更化不是變道，而是在梳理歷史資源的同時，回復到「道」的大一統中。因此，「大一統」理論不僅僅是政治性的，同時更是形上性的，它的形上依據就是「天」或天道。董仲舒試圖在道術分裂之後彌合社會生活賴以維繫的思想世界，同時在「絕地天通」之後為世界重建神聖的根基。

Dong Zhongshu’s promotion of Confucianism aims to establish a fundamental political guideline and its philosophical basis for a perplexed age which needs transformation. And this transformation which dwells in the historical resources doesn’t mean a destruction but a renaissance of Dao (the Way), thereafter can build a integral whole where the life-world and spiritual-world can be resided. Dong attempts to recuperate the thoughts and re-establish a divine foundation for it after the secularization of spirit.