Breaking the paradigm: discussion on ZHANG Zai’s pioneering work on neo-Confucianism(PDF)
《长安大学学报（社科版）》[ISSN:1671-6248/CN:61-1391/C]
- Issue:
- 2020年03期
- Page:
- 88-96
- Research Field:
- 历史学
- Publishing date:
Info
- Title:
- Breaking the paradigm: discussion on ZHANG Zai’s pioneering work on neo-Confucianism
- Author(s):
- ZHAO Junqiang; JIA Junxia
- School of Historical，Culture and Tourism，Xi‘an University of Arts and Science，Xi’an 710065，Shaanxi，China
- Keywords:
- ZHANG Zai; breaking the paradigm; Guan Xue; neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties; study of Confucian classics; Confucianism
- PACS:
- B244.4
- DOI:
- -
- Abstract:
- There are two fundamental academic forms in Confucianism: the study of Confucian classics and the neoConfucianism, which are independent of each other. During the period of Tang and Song Dynasties, Confucianism experienced a paradigm revolution transforming from the study of Confucian classics in Han and Tang Dynasties to neoConfucianismin Song and Ming Dynasties under the guidance of the revival of Confucianism. This paper studies the pioneering work that ZHANG Zai conducted in neoConfucianism by way of literature analysis method. Research believes that in this revolution, ZHANG Zai not only discussed important concepts in neoConfucianism quite early, such as Tai Chi, nature and heavenly laws, moral principles, mind, gender, motion, tranquility, natural justice and human desires, but also raised a series ofbrand new and insightful philosophical propositions. He established a complete system of neoConfucianism including the knowledge of heavenly laws, the study of selfcultivation and the study of good country governance, and made a comprehensive exploration and elaboration of the methodology of neoConfucianism. As a founder of neoConfucianism in the Song and Ming Dynasties with the strongest sense of innovation, the most diligence and the purist origin, ZHANG Zai played an irreplaceable role in the process of academic transformation in which neoConfucianism broke away from the study of Confucian classics and became a new form of Confucianism. The discourse system he created and the methodology different from the study of Confucian classics had a profound impact on neoConfucianism in later generations.
Last Update: 2020-07-02