Essentials of Neo-Confucianism: Eight Major Philosophers of the Song and Ming Periods (Resources in Asian Philosophy and Religion)

Huang's book analyzes the major Neo-Confucian philosophers from the eleventh to the sixteenth centuries. Focusing on metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical philosophical issues, this study presents the historical development of the Neo-Confucian school, an outgrowth of ancient Confucianism, and characterizes its thought, background, and influence. Key concepts―for example ^Utai-ji (supreme ultimate), ^Uxin (mind), and ^Uren (humanity)―as interpreted by each thinker are discussed in detail. Also examined are the two major schools that developed during this period, Cheng-Zhu, School of Principle, and Lu-Wang, School of Mind. These schools, despite different philosophical orientations, were convinced that their common goal, to bring about a harmonious relationships between man and the universe and between man and man, could be achieved through different ways of philosophizing. To understand the Chinese mind, it is necessary to understand Neo-Confucianism as a reformation of early Confucianism. This analytical presentation of major Neo-Confucian philosophers, from the eleventh to the sixteenth centuries, examines Zhou Dun-yi (1017-1073), Shao Yong (1011-1077), Zhang Zai (1020-1077), Cheng Hao (1032-1085), Cheng Yi (1033-1107), Zhu Xi (1130-1200), Lu Xiang-shan (1139-1193), and Wang Yang-ming (1427-1529). With its focus on metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical philosophical issues, Huang's study presents the historical development of the Neo-Confucian school, an outgrowth of ancient Confucianism, and characterizes its thought, background, and influence. Key concepts―for example, ^Utai-ji (supreme ultimate), ^Uxin (mind), and ^Uren (humanity)―as interpreted by each thinker are discussed in detail. The two major schools that developed during these six centuries are examined as well. Lu-Wang, School of Mind, developed in criticism of Cheng-Zhu, School of Principle. The two schools, despite different approaches toward their philosophical pursuits, were convinced that their common goals, to bring about harmonious relationships between man and the universe and between man and man, could be achieved through different ways of philosophizing. To understand the Chinese mind, it is necessary to understand Neo-Confucianism as a reformation of early Confucianism. Scholars of Eastern religions and philosophy will appreciate the objective interpretations of each thinker's philosophy, for which pertinent passages spoken by each man have been selected and translated by the author from the original Chinese, and the comparisons of the Neo-Confucian philosophies with those of the West. An introduction provides the historical background in which to study the rise of Neo-Confucianism. The study is organized ehronologically and includes a glossary of terms and a bibliography which serves as a helpful guide for further research. Ch. 1. Historical And Philosophical Contexts -- Pt. I. Northern Song, 960-1126 -- Ch. 2. Zhou Dun-yi, 1017-1073 -- Ch. 3. Shao Yong, 1011-1077 -- Ch. 4. Zhang Zai, 1020-1077 -- Ch. 5. Cheng Hao, 1032-1085 -- Ch. 6. Cheng Yi, 1033-1107 -- Pt. Ii. Southern Song, 1127-1279 -- Ch. 7. Zhu Xi (i), 1130-1200 -- Ch. 8. Zhu Xi (ii) -- Ch. 9. Lu Xiang-shan, 1139-1193 -- Pt. Iii. Ming Dynasty, 1368-1643 -- Ch. 10. Wang Yang-ming, 1472-1529 -- Ch. 11. Conclusion. Siu-chi Huang. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents 7 Editorial Note 9 Preface 11 Acknowledgments 13 Historical and Philosophical Contexts 15 NORTHERN SONG, 960–1126 31 Zhou Dun-yi, 1017–1073 33 Shao Yong, 1011–1077 51 Zhang Zai, 1020–1077 71 Cheng Hao, 1032–1085 99 Cheng Yi, 1033–1107 117 SOUTHERN SONG, 1127–1279 137 Zhu Xi (I), 1130–1200 139 Zhu Xi (II) 159 Lu Xiang-shan, 1139–1193 181 MING DYNASTY, 1368–1643 203 Wang Yang-ming, 1472–1529 205 Conclusion 227 Glossary 235 Bibliography 255 Index 267 ISBN 0–313–26449–X Present a strong, clear narrative account of the central developments in Western history.The book calls attention to certain critical themes -- the development of political freedom and constitutional government; the shifting relations among religion, society, and the state; the development of science and technology and their impact on thought and social institutions; and the major religious and intellectual currents that have shaped Western culture. An account of the central developments in Western history. The book calls attention to: the development of political freedom and constitutional government; the shifting relations among religion, society, and the state; the development of science and technology and their impact on thought and social institutions; and the shaping of Western culture. Analyzes the three main philosophical problems, metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, as elucidated by the eight major Neo-Confucian philosophers of the Song (960-1279) and Ming (1360-1644) periods.